New Arrival - Wine Spectator 93pts Chianti Classico @ $21.99

Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2018

Rated 93 Points by the Wine Spectator

A great value from an excellent Tuscan estate, this Chianti Classico has racked up two great ratings - 93 points by the Wine Spectator an 91 points by Antonio Galloni of Vinous! With a shelf price of $21.99 per bottle, our 10% case discount (mix and match!) brings this wine below the $20 mark. From the great 2018 vintage, this wine is drinking well now, in its youth, but has the potential to age well into the 2030s! That's quite the longevity for a wine at this price point, but once you taste it you will see the structure, acidity, tannins are all apparent and balanced. 

What is currently the Badia a Coltibuono estate began as a monastery in 1051 with a group of preeminent Benedictine monks, known for their reformist ideas in regards to the church. They received many donations and continued accumulating lands, which are all part of the modern Badia a Coltibuono. Over the years, the monks cultivated the land, planting grape vines and olives in particular. In fact, the first time that the word Chianti was used for this area was from a monk's document from Coltibuono in the 12th century!

Since 1846, Badia a Coltibuono has been in the hands of the same family, now in their 6th generation of ownership. Known to be pioneers of the Chianti region today, the Stucchi family has been creating wines and olive oils as well as running a hotel and offering cooking classes from their beautiful estate. The wines are all made organically, and carry the Euro Leaf designation, showing that they conform to the E.U.'s rules for organic products. 

Rated 93 Points by the Wine Spectator - "Though ripe and lush, this is also dense, with pointed tannins giving a physical sensation and lifting the cherry, strawberry and floral flavors. Finds a nice youthful equilibrium in the end, where mouthwatering acidity roams. Best from 2023 through 2038. "

Rated 91 Points by Vinous - "The 2018 Chianti Classico is a very pretty, enticing wine. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry, pipe tobacco, cedar and mint all grace this exquisite, ethereal Chianti Classico from Coltibuono. All the elements simply fall into place effortlessly. Silky tannins round things out in style. This is such a beguiling Chianti Classico. Drink from 2020 through 2032."

Cheers!

Tracy Maxon

tracy@varmax.com