Tignanello, Villa Antinori 1998/1997

[scimmiatinit]

Antinori, Tignanello, 1997: Piero Antinori often produces excellent wines but this one is exquisite. Made, as it always is, from about 80% of Sangiovese and 20% of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this full bodied wine is blessed with superb balance between its smooth tannins, fruitiness (look for currants, wild berries, and stewed black cherries) and vanilla. With flavors and aromas that open in the glass and on the palate, and then linger on and on, seemingly without end, this is a wine to be treasured as one of Tuscany's very finest. Drink now if you must but ideally hold for another 3 - 5 years before starting to sample its charms. About $80. Score 97. (Tasted three times: 12 Jul, 25 Aug and 16 Oct 2000 with consistent notes. These notes first posted July 2000)
1998 Antinori Tignanello. $57.99. Medium-dark garnet color. Nose of dried black cherry, sawdust, tobacco, anise, and smoke. Medium-full mouthfeel, tasty and toasty fruit, very good balance, and medium -long finish. Nice enough wine, but a mild disappointment here, since the wine seems less than spectactular right now. Obviously it's pretty young. Maybe it's just resting, and will improve over the next several years. 80% Sangiovese, with Cab and Can Franc.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

These are not my personal tasting notes but I think they will help...
Fabio