A typical sangiovese with cherry and walnut aromas and flavors. Medium body, light tannins and a fresh finish. Lemon-zest undertones. From organically grown grapes.
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There are few other wineries anywhere that have such an aura of vinicultural history as that of Badia a Coltibuono. In Europe, it is not too difficult to find wineries that have origins dating back one, two, three, even five centuries, but the edifice at Badia a Coltibuono has been watching over winemaking for almost a thousand years—and the building was constructed long after wine was first made on the property. Grapeseeds and amphorae from the first century A.D. Roman period—evidence of wine production—have been found at an archaeological dig on the property, and even earlier ruins from the wine-savvy Etruscan culture are present as well.
That is not to say that Badia a Coltibuono was designed specifically as a winery all those years ago. It was established as an abbey (badia) in 1051 by St. Giovanni Gualberto, the founder of the Vallumbrosan Order of Benedictine monks. Of course, wine production was an important element of monastical life, and the Vallumbrosans may have been the first to cultivate Sangiovese in Tuscany. The abbey’s name, Coltibuono, can be translated as “Good Cultivation” or “Good Harvest,” perhaps indicating the importance of viticulture there.
Today, the Badia a Coltibuono estate in the Chianti Classico commune of Gaiole in Chianti is led by the fifth generation of family members: Emanuela, Paolo, and Roberto Stucchi Prinetti. There are 150 acres of vineyards on the property, along with another 50 acres of olive trees. This being Chianti Classico, Sangiovese is naturally the most important grape variety planted. However, the family honors Chianti’s heritage by also keeping significant numbers of vines of other traditional varieties that are allowed but often omitted in Chianti Classico: Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Foglia Tonda, Malvasia Nera, Mammolo, Pugnitello, and Sanforte (as well as Trebbiano and Malvasia for Vin Santo). From these building blocks, Badia a Coltibuono makes a robust range of wines from the traditional to the innovative.
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LOCATIONWINERY: Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany VINEYARD: Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
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91
AUGUST 2020
Cultusboni "Colmaia" Organic Sangiovese Toscana IGT 2019
A typical sangiovese with cherry and walnut aromas and flavors. Medium body, light tannins and a fresh finish. Lemon-zest undertones. From organically grown grapes. 92
JULY 2023
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva 2019
Attractive red-fruited character with hints of walnuts, dried leaves, ground cloves and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied with polished tannins and chalky texture. Firm and linear with vivid acidity. Drink or hold. 92
JULY 2021
Cultusboni “RS” Chianti Classico DOCG 2019
Plenty of dark cherry and wet earth with some walnut and dark-mushroom undertones. It’s medium-bodied with chewy, polished tannins and a flavorful finish. This can improve with age. Drink or hold. 93
JUNE 2022
Badia a Coltibuono “Cultus” Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva 2017
DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARD 2022 SILVER MEDAL. Intense red cherry and vanilla with some dark coffee hints. Somewhat old-fashioned in style but juicy, with a long finish. 91
APRIL 2021
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG 2018
Best Buy! Roberto Stucchi Prinetti makes this wine with fruit from the estate's vineyards in Gaiole and Castenuova Berardenga, fermenting on naive yeast and aging the wine in a mix of French and Austrian oak casks. It opens with fresh scents of roses and violets evocative of the moderators 2018 growing season. 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. 92
NOVEMBER 2021
Badia a Coltibuono “Sangioveto di Toscana” Toscana IGT Sangiovese 2015
Sangioveto (originally “San Zoveto”) was the common name for the Sangiovese varietal in the past. 100% Sangiovese from Monti in Chianti, a frazione of Gaiole in Chianti; unlike other wines from this producer, this wine was aged in French barriques. Morel cherry, cumin and tobacco aromas. Medium-full, with more noticeable oak aromas, there are medium-full tannins, good acidity and very good persistence. Give this 2-3 years to round out; peak in 7-10 years. 90
NOVEMBER 2020
Cultusboni “RS” Chianti Classico DOCG 2018
Best Buy! Bright and savory, this has aromas of black-skinned fruit, moist earth and blue flower. Soft and easy-drinking, the medium-bodied palate offers mature Marasca cherry, star anise and ground clove alongside smooth polished tannins. Drink through 2023. 92
JULY 2023
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG 2021
Notes of cooked strawberries, red licorice, blood orange and cedar. Medium body. Bright and racy with crunchy acidity and a flavorful finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. |