The 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva Tenute Marchese Antinori, a mouthful of a name, is essentially a selection of the best Sangiovese grapes of the house’s Chianti Classico vineyards, with the sole exception of the Badia a Passignano. A solid ruby in color, its nose of red berry fruit, leather, and game is followed by full flavors, plush and classy in their flow and with a rising intensity and density on the finish. Drink: 2006-2016. Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Daniel Thomases 90 points  Drink 2006-2016

90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and other complementary red varieties. A very careful selection of the grapes from the three estates in Chianti Classico, Santa Cristina, Badia a Passignano, Pèppoli, was made at harvest time, which began at the second mid September. The grapes were destemmed and gently crushed; maceration took place partly in 50 hectoliter wooden open fermentors (with periodic cap submersion for better extraction of color, complexity, and tannins), and partly in stainless steel tanks, for a period of 15 days (temperatures were kept below 30°C), during which time the wine also completed its alcoholic fermentation. The wine was then transferred into new, one-years-old and two-year old 225 liter French oak barrels (Alliers & Troncais), where it completed its malolactic fermentation by the end of the year. The wines were then racked, and after careful blending of the different estate lots (master blend) and the different grape varieties, the blended wine was returned to the barriques, where it aged another 14 months, was bottled, and remained for a further 12 months in the bottle prior to relea Alcohol: 13.50% 
 
Marchese Antinori is produced, exclusively from the finest, most highly selected grapes grown on the Antinori Santa Cristina, Pèppoli and Badia a Passignano estates in the Mercatale Val di Pesa zone in Chianti Classico.  Deep ruby red with light garnet hues, it has pronounced cherry and violet fruit with tobacco nuances on the nose. It is a full-bodied and rounded red wine of remarkable depth, structure and lenght