Antinori Villa Antinori Rosso 2020

Made of 100% Antinori estate grapes : 55% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Syrah, this fine Italian red was aged in French, Hungarian, and American oak barrels for 12 months, then in bottle for eight more. It is smooth, supple and elegant to drink. Always a crowd pleaser, the Antinori family is one of the oldest winemaking families (dynasties!) in the world, with over 600 years of winegrowing and winemaking. Villa Red was first made in 1928; with the 2001 vintage, Villa Antinori Rosso became an IGT Toscana wine, instead of a Chianti Classico, so that Antinori could create a blend as they saw fit. All of the grapes in Villa Antinori Rosso come exclusively from Antinori's estate-owned vineyards. The Sangiovese is from Chianti Classico and Montalcino, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Bolgheri and the Syrah from Cortona. The wine is made with de-stemmed grapes and part of the blend is aged in French, American and Hungarian oak barriques for 12 months.    

The ancient Antinori family is one of the oldest and most respected wine families in the world. The Antinori clan has lived in Florence since the early 13th century when they moved there from Calenzano, a small town between Florence and Prato. The merchant family was registered with the Guild of Silk Weavers in 1285 and later with the Guild of Bankers, thanks also to the branches that opened in Bruges and Lyons, and the growing network of business in Europe. They were also wine producers and merchants, and it was this business that became prevalent over time: Giovanni di Piero Antinori registered with the Guild of Winemakers in 1385. Production and sales of wine became increasingly important for the family and by the 16th century they were known to various clients outside Italy.