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. 92
JULY 2024
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva 2020
![]() This is complete and balanced with good fruit concentration, freshness and vibrancy. Red berries, spices and dried orange peel, with a medium to full body, tense acidity and compact but nicely ripened tannins. Lingering finish. 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. 92
AUGUST 2023
Badia a Coltibuono Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC 2014
![]() Notes of citrus marmalade, fig and potpourri, followed by a touch of baking spices. Focused and concentrated palate with pleasing acidity. Good length in the subtle smoky finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now. 92
OCTOBER 2020
Cultusboni “RS” Chianti Classico DOCG 2018
![]() Beautiful clarity and intensity to this red with cherry, chocolate and walnut aroma and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with round, creamy tannins that melt into the wine. Fresh and flavorful. 92
JULY 2024
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG 2022
![]() This shows aromas of red and dark berries, chocolate, dried flowers and spices, following through to a medium body with crunchy, powdery tannins and juicy acidity. Tense and flavorful with good concentration. Drink now or hold. 90
SEPTEMBER 2023
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG 2021
![]() This is an organic blend of Tuscan native grapes with 90% Sangiovese and tiny percentages of Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo and Colorino. Representing a big production of 147,000 bottles, the 2021 Chianti Classico is accessible and easy-drinking with mild cherry and dried raspberry followed by almond, blue flower and peat moss. Winemaking is very simple, starting off with spontaneous yeast fermentation and brief aging in large oak casks. You get great value, especially in this classic vintage. 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. |