I hosted a tasting of the Tuscan IGT Tignanello by Antinori and here are my notes, such as they are.
3 Champagnes were offered as starters (Thanks Al, Dave and Beth/Joe!)
1-Pierre Paillard Rose’ Salmon pink, good fruity nose, but-to me-an odd green apple taste, like a young Riesling. 87/100
2-Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus Gold. Slightly Elmer’s glue nose-odd. Taste seemed slightly oxidized. Hmmm… For enjoyment score I give it an 84/100 but perhaps NR
3-Aubry Rose’ Pale salmon nose. Subtle rose nose that hit the correct buttons, creamy nose and mouth. Nicest of the three. 88/100
Now on to the main show…
All were close in color, the younger deeper, the oldest more medium in color with orange at the rim.
2001-youngest nose, sweet, New World-ish but the Tig family nose was there. Berry, oregano, sweetness. Taste was as a teenager, fruity, spicy, medium weight (as they all are) 92+/100
1999-Nose clearly older-(that is not a negative, but the jump in just 2 years was striking) but with similar characteristics as the 2001 minus the overt sweetness. Taste was also middle aged, at plateau, black fruits, oregano and dried herbs, spices. Good 91/100
1997-bad bottle stink that blew off. Slowly opened to most people’s pleasure, but I had some nagging doubts about correctness. Some fruits, plums, plums 87?
1996-badly corked
1995-One of the stars. Tar upon opening, but then the family nose came through. Taste had a touch of that 2001 sweetness, but nicely mixed with middle aged fruits and herbs and mellow. 92/100
1990-bottle stink initially-almost ‘dirty’ but quickly blew off to reveal the best example of the family nose. Lovely. Taste was medium weight, fruits but more herbs, spiciness. Lovely 93/100 My WOTN
1989-a menthol whiff along with the Tig nose. Rich Mouthfeel with some plums, herbs, spices. Nice 92/100
1978- Medium older nose, but still at plateau-perhaps near the end of middle age. Taste still resembled the family, but with some wrinkles. A mellow richness and a complete wine. 91/100.
Overall there clearly was a striking family resemblance that held up over 20+ years. There was a New World impression hinted at in the 2001 so would we see it in new vintages? Sounds like another tasting…