2021 Badia-a-Coltibuono - Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG (750ml)

Badia a Coltibuono, the "Abbey of the Good Harvest," has produced wine since 1051, first under Vallombrosian monks and, since 1846, under the Stucchi Prinetti family, now in its seventh generation of ownership. Located in Gaiole in Chianti, within the historic Black Rooster zone, the estate became the first leading winery in Chianti Classico to convert fully to organic farming, a shift completed in 1994. The Riserva bottling is released only in the estate's strongest vintages, a practice that reflects the family's disciplined approach to quality.

This Riserva is built on a foundation of Sangiovese, joined by Canaiolo and other historic native varieties grown from massal selections on the estate's highest hills, between 260 and 370 meters in elevation, on calcareous clay soils. The 2021 growing season was cool with a late frost, which lowered yields but concentrated the resulting fruit. Following spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and roughly three weeks of skin maceration, the wine ages for 24 months in French and Austrian oak, followed by a further rest in bottle before release.

The wine shows a deep ruby color with garnet reflections, opening to ripe red fruit, dried flowers, and balsamic herb notes. The palate is smooth yet firm, with lively acidity and fine tannins that carry through to a long, generous finish.