ANTINORI Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 'Badia al Passignano' 2019 Bottle SOLD OUT

Description

IN BRIEF
Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019 is a distinguished wine made entirely from 100% Sangiovese grapes, showcasing the exceptional quality for which Antinori is renowned. This vintage has garnered high praise, including 95 points from Decanter, which applauds its elegant expression of floral notes, red cherry, and cedar, with sleek tannins and vibrant acidity enhancing its clarity. James Suckling awarded it 93 points, highlighting lovely aromas of violets and blue fruit on a full-bodied palate with rich, slightly chewy tannins. Aged in Hungarian oak barrels, this wine offers complex layers of ripe red fruits, liqueur cherries, and hints of vanilla, culminating in a long finish with undertones of cocoa and citrus. An impressive choice for any occasion.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019 is a distinguished wine crafted entirely from 100% Sangiovese grapes, showcasing the exceptional quality for which Antinori is known. This vintage has garnered impressive accolades, including 95 points from Decanter, which praises its youthful elegance and graceful expression of floral notes, red cherry, and cedar, alongside sleek tannins and succulent acidity that enhance its clarity.

James Suckling rated it 93 points, highlighting the lovely aromas of violets and blue fruit, complemented by a full-bodied palate that features slightly chewy, rich tannins promising a long and intense finish. The wine exhibits a captivating ruby red colour with complex aromas of ripe red fruits, liqueur cherries, and sweet hints of vanilla, culminating in a lengthy finish with undertones of bitter cocoa and citrus.

The Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is unique as the only Chianti made by Antinori from 100% Sangiovese, aged in Hungarian oak within the abbey’s historic underground cellars. The grapes come from a selection of the best fruit sourced from the family's 53 hectares since 1987.

Tasting notes reveal a wine of depth and complexity, characterized by notes of ripe red fruit, liqueur cherries, and sour cherries, complemented by citrusy hints of red oranges and delicate floral sensations of lavender. Sweet vanilla and pleasant spicy aromas of cloves and leather enhance the experience. The palate offers a mouth-filling entry sustained by silky, vibrant tannins, leading to a persistent and sapid finish.

The Wine Advocate awarded it 94 points, noting its ripe fruit profile with sweet cherry and baked plum, highlighting the confluence of abundant spring rains and heat during the summer, which contributed to the fruit's maturation.

Vinous rated it 92 points, describing the 2019 vintage as packed with inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice, and leather, with a bold and opulent character that speaks loudly yet may lack finesse.

Overall, the 2019 Badia a Passignano is a remarkable wine that embodies the richness and tradition of Chianti, offering an elegant experience that is perfect for enjoying now or cellaring for years to come.

DECANTER 95 points
Tasted by: Michaela Morris
(at Stazione Leopolda, Florence, 21 Mar 2022)
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2032
The vineyards of Badia a Passignano surround an ancient monastery which has belonged to Benedictine monks since the 11th century. It’s just 3km south of Antinori’s Tignanello estate, from which the Sangiovese cuttings hail. Youthful, graceful and unencumbered by masses of oak, this expresses pretty floral, red cherry and cedar. Smooth yet tactile, the tannins are sleek and yielding, and succulent acidity contributes to the levity and clarity of this mid-weight, elegant Gran Selezione. Glossy red berries are infused with sage on the palate. Everything is in place - almost too perfectly.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Drink Date: 2022 - 2035
Marchesi Antinori's 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Badia a Passignano embraces a ripe fruit profile with sweet cherry and baked plum. Fruit at the Badia a Passignano estate matures very nicely, Marchesi Antinori General Manager Renzo Cotarella tells me. He describes the 2019 season as having abundant rain in the spring and then showing heat that lasted for a good part of the summer. This estate has a total of 56 hectares of vines, but this bottle is born from a selection from 20 hectares. The resulting annual production is 100,000 bottles. The wine offers sweet tannins, lots of dark cherry, spicy sensations, rich fruit weight and hints of salinity on the close.

JAMES SUCKLING 93 points
Lots of violets and blue fruit, as well as black cherries on the nose. Full-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. Rich and layered. Yet, the tannins are long and intense. Drink after 2023.

VINOUS 92 points
Drinking window: 2024 - 2034
The 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Badia a Passignano is packed with inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice, leather and incense. Opulent and flamboyant to the core, the 2019 speaks in a loud, brash voice. There's a ton of richness, but less in the way of finesse. After many years of tasting this wine, I have to conclude the Badia is never going to be a particularly refined Chianti Classico. It's just not in its DNA.
Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: June 2022

-----

ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Antinori is one of Italy's most renowned and historic wine producers, with a legacy that spans over six centuries. Founded in 1385, the Antinori family has been at the forefront of Italian winemaking through generations, consistently producing some of the finest wines that are celebrated both nationally and internationally.

The estate is located primarily in Tuscany, with significant holdings in various esteemed regions, including Chianti Classico, Bolgheri, and Umbria. Antinori is best known for its commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation, which has allowed it to craft exceptional wines that highlight the unique characteristics of each terroir. The family focuses on indigenous grape varieties such as Sangiovese, as well as international varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, providing a diverse portfolio that reflects the rich diversity of Italian viticulture.

Antinori's flagship wines, including Tignanello and Solaia, have redefined the landscape of Italian wine, pioneering the Super Tuscan movement. Tignanello, produced primarily from Sangiovese with a percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, is celebrated for its intense flavors, elegance, and aging potential. Solaia, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, showcases the estate's ability to create powerful yet refined wines that embody the essence of Tuscany.

Sustainability is a core principle of Antinori's winemaking philosophy. The estate employs sustainable agriculture techniques in its vineyards, focusing on practices that preserve the environment and enhance the health of the land. This commitment extends to their winemaking process, where traditional methods are blended with modern technology to ensure the highest quality wines.

Antinori has earned numerous awards and accolades for its wines, establishing itself as a leader in both quality and reputation within the wine industry. Each bottle represents the family's passion, heritage, and dedication to the art of winemaking. Whether enjoyed during celebratory gatherings, paired with gourmet cuisine, or savored during quiet moments, Antinori wines invite enthusiasts to experience the rich tapestry of Italian culture and the artistry of fine wine.