2001 Tignanello

In 2001 Tignanello captures a super-concentrated and dense expression of fruit that has been achieved with some loss of aromatic complexity and overall finesse. This is a super-ripe style with tons of dark fruit, smoke and toasted oak in a heavily extracted style that veers on excess. There is remarkable power here, but not the level of balance that is typical of the very finest vintages.

The 2001 Tignanello is an object lesson in how to make Cabernet work with Sangiovese, the two varieties balancing and enhancing one another in admirable symbiosis. (The percentage of Cabernet, in fact, was reduced from the previous 20% to 15% in this vintage, an important sign - I hope - of how the wind is blowing.) A blackish ruby, its perfectly focused plum and cassis fruit, given an additional complexity by notes of sweet herbs and saddle leather, is fully and completely shaped in flavors of impeccable volume, roundness, and depth, caressing and powerful and with an additional power on the close which promises another 15 years of gratifying drinking. Importer: Remy Amerique, New York, NY; tel. (212) 424-2202

Sangiovese 85%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Merlot 5%. 14 months in one-year-old barriques, one month in bottle. Very dark crimson. Sweet intense nose. Gentle, well-sculpted palate attack. You can certainly taste the Cabernet in this wine. Carefully made with lots of mildness in its makeup – pleasing and of a different family from all the wines tasted up to now. (JR)