Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione 2016, Italy

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 grapes were hand harvested in order to guarantee a careful selection of only the finest bunches an operation which was facilitated by the excellent health of the grapes. After destemming and a soft pressing, essential for the conservation of the typical character and aromas of Sangiovese, the must went into stainless steel fermenting tanks where it fermented and macerated on its skins. The fermentation, in the sense of the transformation of the sugar into alcohol, lasted seven days and was followed by an additional two week period of contact on the skins. After the wine was run off its skins, it went immediately into 60 and 75 gallon barrels of Hungarian oak and partly, into 60 gallon French oak barrels, where it went through a complete malolactic fermentation and then aged for fourteen months. The final blend was then bottled and given an additional twelve months period of bottle aging before commercial release. It is complex on the nose with aromas of red berry fruit, raspberries, blackberries, and ripe cherries in addition to its notes of spice and licorice on the finish.