05 Feb Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2017 DOCG

Chianti is one of the best known wines and yet one of the most misunderstood. Chianti is a region in Tuscany. The grape of Chianti is Sangiovese. But not all Sangioveses taste alike. Due to diversity of the clones, the soils and the altitudes throughout the region, you can find different styles of Sangiovese. One of these styles is the Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2017 DOCG, the Please The Palate wine of the week. Chianti is divided into seven sub-zones and one of them is Chianti Classico, the oldest and most traditional area in the Chianti region. Badia a Coltibuono is located in the southern part of Chianti Classico in the town of Gaiole. Badia a Coltibuono, or the “abbey of good culture,” was established in 1051 by San Giovanni Gualberto, founder of the Vallombrosan order and patron saint of the foresters, rangers and parks. The monastery was active until Napoleon annexed it in 1810. Purchased in 1846 by the Stucchi Prinetti family who still own it today, the winery has been certified organic since 2000. Badia a Coltibuono produces a selection of Chianti Classico wines and the Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2017 DOCG is a classic example of Chianti Classico. By law, Chianti Classico wines consist of a minimum of 80 percent Sangiovese and the remainder can be from native grapes Canaiolo or Colorino or from international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. This wines is 90 percent Sangiovese with 10 percent Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo and Colorino. The vines are 16-41 years old and the grapes are organically grown. The grapes were handpicked and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged for a little more than 12 months in French and Austrian oak casks. 2017 was the hottest and driest summer on record. The resulting harvest was small but the quality was very good. The wine is a bright ruby color and has aromas of cherry, plum, violet, tobacco, spices and black pepper. On the palate, the wine is fresh and bright with soft tannins and a mineral finish. The wine is expressive and elegant but not powerful. Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2017 is so enjoyable to drink and what makes it even better is that is retails for $22.99 and that is why it is the Please The Palate wine of the week.