Badia a Passignano Gran Selezione is produced exclusively from the finest Sangiovese grapes harvested from its namesake vineyard located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. The region has been respected and appreciated for its outstanding wine production since the year 1000. The vineyards grow at an altitude of approximately 300 meters (984 feet) above sea level on soils rich in limestone with a fair amount of clay. The wine is aged in the historic cellars under the Badia (abbey) of Passignano that dates back to the 10th century.
Vinification
After destemming, the berries were carefully selected and gently crushed. Each vineyard parcel was kept as a separate lot throughout fermentation and aging. Alcoholic fermentation lasted for a period of 10 days and was followed by an additional period of 10-12 days of maceration on the skins. The wine was racked, still separated by vineyard of origin, and transferred to Hungarian oak barrels with a small percentage going into French oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation and aging took place for several months. During this phase, the different lots were tasted consistently to determine the maximum expression of oak aging, then blended once maturity was achieved. The wine was bottled on the estate and was left to age in the bottle before being released for sale.
Tasting Notes
Badia a Passignano is ruby red in color. Its complex nose presents intense notes of ripe red fruit, especially sour and black cherries, that merge with sweet hints of blueberries and apricots. Its bouquet is completed by pleasant balsamic sensations of aromatic herbs and toasted aromas of chocolate, coffee, licorice and vanilla. On the palate it’s rich, mouth filling, succulent and flavorful yet well sustained by extraordinary freshness and mineral qualities. These characteristics, combined with a sweet aftertaste, give the wine length and a lingering flavor profile. Excellent aging potential.