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.
MENU
|
WINE LOCATOR
SEARCH
|
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.
|
LOCATIONWINERY: Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany VINEYARD: Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
|
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. 95
MARCH 2022
Badia a Coltibuono “Cultus” Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva 2017
This savory, full-bodied red opens with inviting scents of new leather, wild berries, truffle and blue flowers. Polished and delicious, the juicy palate doles out raspberry compote, mature Marasca cherry, baking spice and mocha. Fine-grained, enveloping tannins provide seamless support. Drink through 2027. 93
AUGUST 2019
Badia a Coltibuono Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC 2011
The 2011 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is laced with the essence of dried orange peel, dried flowers, hazelnut, spice, burnt sugar and caramel. Creamy, expressive and wonderfully giving, the 2011 hits all the right notes. This is a super-classic Vin Santo made from white grapes. 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. 90
MARCH 2022
Cultusboni “RS” Chianti Classico DOCG 2019
Savory and enjoyable, this pretty red offers aromas of woodland berries, tilled earth and leather. On the tangy, easygoing palate, lithe tannins and fresh acidity accompany juicy Morello cherry, black plum and star anise. Drink through 2023. 92
MAY 2023
Badia a Coltibuono Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC 2013
A medium-weight dessert white, evoking caramel, almond paste, brown butter and orange peel flavors. Lively, ending with a lingering, caramel nuttiness. Trebbiano and Malvasia. Drink now through 2040. 666 cases made, 300 cases imported. 93
SEPTEMBER 2021
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva 2017
The 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva is laced with cinnamon, blood orange, wild cherry, tobacco and incense, all of which give it a decidedly exotic flair. The 2017 is a rich, dense Riserva, but I would prefer to drink it on the airy side, before it starts to lose its freshness and vibrancy. 92
JUNE 2022
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva 2018
Red cherries, cranberries, slate, cloves, bay leaves and lemon peel on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and excellent freshness. Bright. Drink or hold. |