Really pretty fruit here with currants and spices with some fresh flowers. Medium to full body. Fine tannins. Focused and real. From organically grown grapes. Give this three or four years to soften. Drink after 2026.
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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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93
JULY 2023
Badia a Coltibuono “Montebello” Toscana IGT 2018
Really pretty fruit here with currants and spices with some fresh flowers. Medium to full body. Fine tannins. Focused and real. From organically grown grapes. Give this three or four years to soften. Drink after 2026. 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. 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. 92
NOVEMBER 2020
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG 2018
Fresh and fragrant, this has vinous aromas of red berry, blue flower and dark culinary spice. The bright savory palate doles out crushed raspberry, red cherry and baking spice alongside vibrant acidity and taut polished tannins. 92
JUNE 2022
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG 2020
Fresh and sour cherries, raspberries, lemons, slate and cement on the nose. Medium-bodied, crunchy and vibrant with fine tannins and bright acidity. So drinkable 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. 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 91
JANUARY 2024
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG 2021
A youthful ruby/magenta, the 2021 Chianti Classico is pure, ripe, and inviting with aromas of cherry liqueur, candied roses, and fresh sweet Mediterranean herbs. This wine has wonderful transparency and clarity, with refreshing acidity, snappy lift, and ripe, fine tannins, as well as a stony underpinning and a lovely fresh lift of tomato leaf on the finish. A refreshing and lovely wine, it has much to offer if drinking over the next 6-8 years. |