Badia a Coltibuono is a reference winery in Chianti Classico area, Tuscany, enriched by a wonderful wine tourism offer also in a beautiful location with deep historical roots.

Thanks to the appointments of ‘La Banca del Vino’ all over Italy, I have recently had the chance to taste some of their best wines along with the owner, Roberto Stucchi Prinetti, invited in Napoli, Southern Italy. The colleagues Granieri and Marra guided the tasting of well 7 wines: Chianti Classico 2021 and 2016, Chianti Classico Riserva 2018, 2016, 2012 (all 90% Sangiovese with 10% of the typical local varieties, matured in big barrels); “Montebello” 2016 (Toscana IGT: a blend of all minor varieties generally used for a small percentage with just some Sangiovese) and finally Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Occhio di Pernice 2008, the oxidative dessert wine of this land in Central Italy.

It is hard to outline a single model to refer to as “Chianti Classico” due to the diversification of the territory in terms of altitude, more or less calcareous soils compositions or so; the development of different clones of the major grape of the region: Sangiovese (the most planted black variety in Italy); as well as the importance of the project of each producer. So, let’s just look at what happened in the glasses last week.

Badia a Coltubuono: the tasting notes

Chianti Classico Riserva 2018 is definitely at the top of my list for its finesse and balanced combination between juice and skeleton, an elegant sip supported by the texture; equally intriguing in perspective is the 2021 with a penetrating and spicy nose, coherent and integrated on the palate. The 2016 expressions are riper and more concentrated given the warmer temperatures which lead to more densely fruity wines; the shape of the 2012 is splendid with the dark tones of the aromas which dynamically range between different clusters: tobacco, black pepper, leather, smoke, black cherry and cloves. The “Montebello” (2016) is a beautiful game that gives space to the so-called complementary varieties, those blend with Sangiovese for a total of just 10% in the previous Chianti Classico wines and which, for this wine, are instead vinified separately for a smooth blend: more consistent and “modern” given the use of small (although used) barrels as well as the large ones already preferred for Chianti Classico but still used for an enveloping and delicious sip (grapes: Mammolo, Ciliegiolo, Pugnitello , Colorino, Sanforte , Malvasia Nera, Canaiolo, Foglia Tonda along with Sangiovese).

vin santo del chianti classico occhio di pernice

It is useless to dwell on the complexity of the Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Occhio di Pernice with ethereal notes of polish and the more intense flavours of deliberate oxidation: caramel, toffee and coffee for a delicious but balanced sweet wine with a savory finish for the most disparate pairings.