This is ripe and dark-fruited with chocolaty and spicy undertones. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Polished and soft. Juicy finish. Drink now.
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 |
|
91
JULY 2023
Cultusboni “RS” Chianti Classico DOCG 2021
This is ripe and dark-fruited with chocolaty and spicy undertones. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Polished and soft. Juicy finish. Drink now. 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. 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 95
JUNE 2022
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva 2019
The 2019 vintage is made from 90% Sangiovese blended with 10% Colorino, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo. It was aged for 12 months in large (528-660 gal) French and Austrian oak casks, and three months in bottle. The color is ruby. Aromas are red cherry and strawberry layered with savory spices and vanilla. It is light bodied and lively with tangy acidity and ripe, grainy tannins. There is a touch of pleasant bitterness in the finish, which clears the palate. The current generation of the Stucchi Prinetti family, Emanuela, Paolo and Roberto are running the winery which was created in 1846 and became commercial in 1957. Roberto is the winemaker with consultant Maurizio Castelli. Their goal is a natural expression of Sangiovese with lightness and balance, but also food friendly and readily enjoyable. 90
SEPTEMBER 2022
Cultusboni “RS” Chianti Classico DOCG 2020
Rich and vibrant, this red evokes black cherry, plum, earth, iron and spice flavors. Nicely balanced, with dense, integrated tannins lining the finish. Drink now through 2026. 6,700 cases made, 4,800 cases imported. 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. 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. 90
JULY 2022
Cultusboni “RS” Chianti Classico DOCG 2020
"SMART BUY" Rich and vibrant, this red evokes black cherry, plum, earth, iron and spice flavors. Nicely balanced, with dense, integrated tannins lining the finish. Drink now through 2026. 6,700 cases made; 4,800 cases imported. |