Winemaker Notes
#20 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021
The estate Chianti Classico is central in representing Badia a Coltibuono's vision and relationship with its place and its history. Using the traditional blend of Sangiovese and complementary varieties, as well as propagating vines the traditional way - by massal selection - has always been the backbone of the wine. Modern techniques such as vinification by gravity are used to bring forth the best expression of the fruit, but traditional approaches, from indigenous yeast fermentation to aging in oak casks rather than barriques, are central to the authenticity of the wine. The winery's long-established organic practices are also fundamental in the development of the truly unique character of the grapes.
Blend: 90% Sangiovese; 10% Colorino, Canaiolo, and Ciliegiolo
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Though ripe and lush, this is also dense, with pointed tannins giving a physical sensation and lifting the cherry, strawberry and floral flavors. Finds a nice youthful equilibrium in the end, where mouthwatering acidity roams.
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Wine Enthusiast
Fresh and fragrant, this has vinous aromas of red berry, blue flower and dark culinary spice. The bright savory palate doles out crushed raspberry, red cherry and baking spice alongside vibrant acidity and taut polished tannins.
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Decanter
Coltibuono’s vineyards are in southern Gaiole, in an area called the Monti. Winemaker and owner Roberto Stucchi reports that here August 2018 saw more rainfall than the infamously wet 2014 vintage - the warm, dry winds of September helped turn the tide. Pale ruby in hue but vibrantly scented, this displays a floral perfume of rose, violet and yellow broom, mingling with raspberry. Very appetising and fresh, it has an overall lightness of structure, with fine, elegant, powdery tannins and acidity which is expansive rather than piercing. Despite a feeling of weightlessness, it is a lovely, persistent wine.
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James Suckling
A fresh, delicate Chianti Classico showing lots of typical character and brightness with orange-peel and bark undertones. Light to medium body, light tannins and a delicious, crisp finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.
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Wine & Spirits
This estate wine opens with fresh scents of roses and violets. Those appealing aromas lead into flavors of juicy red cherry and raspberry brightened by notes of orange zest. It’s an excellent value and a mouthwatering wine for the dinner table.
Among Italy's elite red grape varieties, Sangiovese has the perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino. Somm Secret—Sangiovese doubles under the alias, Nielluccio, on the French island of Corsica where it produces distinctly floral and refreshing reds and rosés.
One of the first wine regions anywhere to be officially recognized and delimited, Chianti Classico is today what was originally defined simply as Chianti. Already identified by the early 18th century as a superior zone, the official name of Chianti was proclaimed upon the area surrounding the townships of Castellina, Radda and Gaiole, just north of Siena, by Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany in an official decree in 1716.
However, by the 1930s the Italian government had appended this historic zone with additonal land in order to capitalize on the Chianti name. It wasn’t until 1996 that Chianti Classico became autonomous once again when the government granted a separate DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) to its borders. Ever since, Chianti Classico considers itself no longer a subzone of Chianti.
Many Classicos are today made of 100% Sangiovese but can include up to 20% of other approved varieties grown within the Classico borders. The best Classicos will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and be full-bodied with plenty of ripe fruit (plums, black cherry, blackberry). Also common among the best Classicos are expressive notes of cedar, dried herbs, fennel, balsamic or tobacco.