The Honest Pour with John Lenart

The wines of Badia a Coltibuono are some of the most precise, balanced, and typically Chianti Classico of those produced in the region. While many wineries pay lip service using terms like ” we believe wine begins in the vineyard,” Roberto Stucchi Prinetti truly follows the axiom. After receiving his degree at UC Davis, and working under Cathy Corison at Chappellet, he returned to take over as the sixth generation of his family running Badia a Coltibuono. He immediately replanted the vineyards to maximize quality and emphasize terroir. Ever since the wines he makes have been met with critical acclaim.

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Roberto Stucchi Prinetti, Badia a Coltibuono

2016 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico

Nose of rich berries and fresh herbs with a hint of limestone minerality. On the palate this medium weight wine shows flavors of black cherry, currant and baking spices all balanced by crisp acidity and fine tannins.

SRP: $23

2015 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva

Very pretty perfumed nose. Finesse and balance best describe this wine. Layers of complex flavor, fine yet assertive tannins, and mouthwatering acidity are all wonderfully balanced. IN time this will be a very special wine from an amazing vintage. Wait three to five years. A steal at this price.

SRP: $35

2013 Badia a Coltibuono Sangioveto IGT

Elegant, complex, and harmonious nose. On the palate the structure is balanced and elegant showing prime characteristic flavors of cherry and violets. Great acidity make this the perfect wine for foods from Tuscany.

SRP: $55

2013 Badia a Coltibuono Montebello IGT

Made from nine historical varieties: Mammolo, Ciliegiolo, Pugnitello, Colorino, Sanforte, Malvasia Nera, Canaiolo, Foglia Tonda, Sangiovese. All vinified separately. If you are a fan of Chianti Classico this wine is familiar yet unknown all in the same sip. Flavors of plum and dark berries mingle with tangy acidity and hints of minerality. Intriguing, intellectual and delicious.

SRP: $60

I’ve traveled throughout the wine world and few places have enchanted me the way Volpaia and the people there have.

The hilltop hamlet is magical. The 11th century piazza is composed of a church, a cafe and a the Castello di Volpaia tasting room which was closed when I arrived. That’s it.

I wander up the road another 50 or so meters to find a smaller, older piazza consisting of not much more than yet another church, a small well and an iron gate.

With no signs, I have no idea where to go so I throw caution to the wind and enter the gate. Sitting in the manicured garden under the warm spring Tuscan sun I meet Giovannella Stianti. Tall, grey haired and elegant, Giovannella introduces herself to me and warmly welcomes me into her home. All of the walls inside the ancient building are lined with beautiful books. Gio explains that her father was a book binder and this was his work.

After lunch Gio takes me on a wonderful tour of the village and winery within. The modern winery is built into the building of the 11th century with pipes running underground connecting one production area to the next. Already enchanted with both the place and Giovannella, I then sat down to record this episode with Federica Mascheroni Stianti, Gio’s daughter, who now runs the family business. As charming as her mother, Federica and I talk about what makes wine from Radda unique, the controversy behind gran selezione classification, and of course we taste some delicious wines.

If you travel to Chianti Classico a visit to Castello di Volpaia is not to be missed.

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Federica Mascheroni Stianti, Castello de Volpaia

 2016 Volpaia Chianti Classico

Alluring aroma of lavender and complex perfume.  On the palate flavors of bright fresh cherries chocolate, lavander candies and leather. Silky body, great balance and a long complex finish make this wine lovely to drink with or without a meal. This is an example of the huge value offered by Chianti Classico.  One of the best sub $20 wines I have even tasted.

SRP: $19.99

2016 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva

While you may be searching for the 2015 vintage, which garnered Wine Spectator #3 Wine of 2018 don’t bother. The 2016 picks up where the 2015 left off. Deep complex aromas of black cherry, tobacco and spice box let you know that this is a serious wine. On the palate beautiful fruit, grippy tannin, and forward acidity make the structure of this wine something you want in your cellar. Drink now through the next 20 years.

SRP:  $35.99

2015 Castello di Volpaia Coltassala Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Pretty nose full of fresh violet, red licorice, coffee and vanilla along with a distinct minerality. Elegant texture with flavors showing black cherry, dark berries, plum, play harmoniously with grippy tannin and forward acidity. Structured to age for decades but drinks beautifully now.

SRP: $69.99

The sub-region of Barberino Tavarnelle lies in the western part of Chianti Classico. Topping out at about 400 meters above sea-level the vines here flower early and experience a longer growing season than other areas of Chianti Classico. Wines for here typically express more earth that fruit and are the perfect companions of the region’s game focused cuisine. I met with Paolo De Marchi of Isole e Olena, a top producer from Barberino Tavarnelle to talk about these wines and learn about how his farming choices over the past 45 years have allowed him to express its special terroir.

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Paolo De Marchi, Isole e Olena

2016 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico

Aromas of earth, red berries, hints of tomato leaf, leather and cocoa. This is a food wine. This medium bodies wine is driven by earth and acidity. Flavors of fresh red cherries and cedar lend balance. Drink alongside Tuscan cuisine for maximum happiness.

SRP:  $30

 2016 Isole e Olena Cepparello

100% Sangiovese from the best of selected sites throughout the estate. Nose of a dusty minerality, dark cherries and cocoa powder. An elegant texture showing wonderful balance between fruit, acid and fine tannin. Complex flavors. Drinks nice now, but will age spectacularly for decades. I recommend waiting 5 years minimum for this special wine to mature.

SRP:  $89

2013 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Aromas of dried red berries, dutch cocoa, spy sauce and a distinct earthiness. Full bodied showing great balance between fruit and earth.  Bright acid and fine tannins make this a wine for a special dinner.

SRP: $225

We continue our special series of episodes from Chianti Classico. In this episode we visit Castello di Fonterutoli just south of Chianti Classico. It’s on this spot, that the riders of the legend of the black rooster met. The tiny hamlet no loner houses the winery, it is still home to the Mazzei family’s agroturismo and osteria (a great place to have a traditional, highly regional dinner!). The new winery is a modern, high tech winemaking facility, built into the hillside that still uses time honored traditions of vinification. The Mazzei family has been involved in the wine business for 24 generation and holds a unique place in U.S. history. It is said that Philip Mazzei inspired Thomas Jefferson to write that “All men are by nature equally free and independent.” Today brothers Francesco and Filippo continue the family’s legacy of making great wine. I met with Francesco at the winery south of Castellina in Chianti to discuss the family’s heritage, the importance of Chianti Classico and of course to taste some delicious wine.

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Francesco Mazzei, Managing Director, Castello di Fonterutoli

2016 Fonterutoli Chianti Classico

An earthy nose showing notes of mushrooms, forest floor, cranberry and purple flowers. On the palate this medium bodied wine brings flavors of bing cherry, milk chocolate and a touch of mint. Fine tannins and bright acidity round out this food friendly wine

SRP: 27.99

2016 Fonterutoli Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva

Aromas of dried mixed red berries, forest floor, notes of black olive. A medium-full body brings about flavors of over-ripe cherry, black licorice, hints of clove and sage. Firm, grippy tannins and forward acidity let you know you’re drinking Chianti Classico.

SRP: $29.99

2015 Castello di Fonterutoli Gran Selezione

Bright ruby in color. An elegant and complex nose that coyly calls out to you. Gorgeous balance on the palate between earth, fruit, and acid. Flavors of cherry, cocoa, lead to a long complex finish. Fine silky tannins. Drinks great now but will age for 10 to 30 years or more.

SRP: 74.99

2016 Fonterutoli Seipi Toscano IGT

A blend of 50% merlot and 50% sangiovese. These two varieties complement each other beautifully in this intriguing Super Tuscan blend. Nose of  black cherry and purple flowers. Flavors of black cherry, black plum, tobacco and cocoa mingle harmoniously together in this lush elegant bodied wine.

SRP: $88