Description
A wine of important impact, an intense ruby red in color. The aromas are complex with notes of red fruit, raspberries, blueberries, and ripe cherries and a spicy, liquorice-laden finish. On the palate it is ripe and sweet, endowed with an important structure of sweet and enveloping tannins and ample and velvetyin texture. Long on the palate and with a vibrant, tonic acidity, it is an exceptional expression of the Sangiovese grape in this part of the Chianti Classico appellation. 100% Sangiovese Badia a Passignano Riserva is produced exclusively from the finest grapes of the property of the same name, located in the Chianti Classico area of Tuscany. The abbey of Passignano, around whose walls the vineyards are situated, is one of the loveliest fortified monasteries of the zone and has been renowned for the quality of its wine for over a thousand years. The Antinori family acquired the land around the monastery (which belongs to the order of the monks of Vallombrosa) in 1987 and ever since then has used the splendid cellars of the abbey for winemaking purposes. The growing season was marked by a particularly dry and mild winter which led to a very early bud break and accelerated subsequent phases of plant development. The early part of summer was rather warm, but was followed by a relatively cool month of August which favored regular vegetative growth. The harvest began slightly earlier than usual compared to seasonal norms. September and October were characterized by warm and sunny weather and cool nights, a weather pattern which guaranteed the type of daytime to nighttime temperature swings which are essential to the achievement of quality Sangiovese grapes. From the very start, it was obvious that the level of the grapes and the must was very high indeed – in addition to intense colors and aromas, the varietal character was very much in evidence. Harvest operations were in no way influenced by the climate, and this assisted a careful and rigorous choice of picking dates; the Sangiovese grapes were picked during the last ten days of September and the first part of the month of October.
