Bright, with cherry, raspberry, floral and wild herb aromas, this red is juicy and solidly built. Persistent, with a lingering finish that echoes the fruit and balsamic elements. Drink now through 2030. 1,000 cases made, 2,647 cases imported.
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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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92
APRIL 2023
Badia a Coltibuono “Sangioveto di Toscana” Toscana IGT Sangiovese 2016
Bright, with cherry, raspberry, floral and wild herb aromas, this red is juicy and solidly built. Persistent, with a lingering finish that echoes the fruit and balsamic elements. Drink now through 2030. 1,000 cases made, 2,647 cases imported. 91
NOVEMBER 2021
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG 2019
Primarily Sangiovese with a small percentage of indigenous red varieties. Beautiful pale garnet; aromas of wild strawberry, red raspberry and turmeric. Medium-full with beautiful Sangiovese purity, very good acidity, medium-weight tannins, subtle wood notes and very good persistence. Excellent complexity and a great deal of character for this category. Enjoyable now but will improve for 3-5 years; peak in 6-7 years. 92
FEBRUARY 2023
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG 2020
From estate vineyards in southern reaches of Chianti Classico’s Vagliagli and Gaiole UGAs, Sangiovese is complemented by local varieties Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo and Colorino. Following the hot summer, these were harvested in the last two weeks of September. The bright ruby hue is matched by equally lively aromas of medicinal herbs and roots suffused with red summer berries. Wild cherry and mint repeat on the palate. midweight and elegant, it is effortlessly balanced with crunchy acidity, light chalky tannins and digestible alcohol. Not a long ager but joyful – and so Sangiovese. 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. 93
JANUARY 2024
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva 2019
Displaying a youthful red-with-orange color, the 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva is layered with cedar, black raspberry, anise, and tobacco aromas. Medium to full-bodied, it is refreshing without any weight, and its clean acidity is evenly balanced through the wine, with fine tannins that take a pleasing angular feel that’s well-managed. It’s long on the palate, its delicate perfume hovering on the palate after the wine is gone, with notes of bergamot. This very appealing wine will continue to improve with another couple of years in the cellar. Drink 2026-2038. 92
JULY 2019
Badia a Coltibuono “Sangioveto di Toscana” Toscana IGT Sangiovese 2015
This is a very subtle Tuscan red with some reduction, but opening up (upon decanting) to red cherries, red plums, citrus and cedar. Medium-bodied and lightly woven, it appears quite savory and reserved, but also has some rather powerful tannins thrown in the mix. A quirky, traditional-style wine. Drink now 93
SEPTEMBER 2021
Badia a Coltibuono Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC 2012
The 2012 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is a very pretty and classic Vin Santo from white grapes. Roasted almond, dried flowers, nutmeg and light brown sugar all grace this mid-weight, nicely layered Vin Santo. Elegant and effusive in the glass, with striking aromatic presence, the 2012 is a winner. 91
OCTOBER 2023
Badia a Coltibuono “Montebello” Toscana IGT 2018
A maturing red marked by plum, leather, sanguine and resinous oak notes, with woodsy, mushroom accents that are beginning to emerge. Well-integrated and long. Sangiovese, Mammolo, Ciliegiolo, Pugnitello, Colorino, Malvasia Nera, Canaiolo and Foglia Tonda. |