[Pigging by Wilfrid: June 29, 2009]
As red wine weather is still with us, along with general depression and a rare crop of celebrity deaths, I sent my wine valet down to the cellar to find a bottle of special cheer.
The question with wines laid down for the future is always, if not now, when? The answer, usually, is later.
But I decided a couple of decades was probably enough for the Tignanello, Antinori's classic super-Tuscan. Tasting notes online implied maturity, and that's what I found, although the ruby-red color in the glass suggested it has a way to go.
The bouquet was dominated by buckets of blackcurrants. I've seen notes mention violets and the usual red berries, but this seemed to me a very distinctive single note. Beyond the fruit, all the mushrooms, leather and sweet tobacco you could wish for, resolved tannins, and a very long finish. Mainly sangiovese, with cabernet sauvignon and a little cabernet franc, for those who like facts.
If only it took longer to finish the bottle.
I decanted a little at a time, and there was some sediment. I don't see a bottle for sale in the States right now, but if you are lucky enough to have one, make an excuse to drink it.
(As mentioned last week, it accompanied roast kid and Parmiggiano Reggiano - but it deserved its own stage.)
