Deep garnet color; cherry, blackberry, plum, roasted tomato, clove on the nose and palate.
Dry; moderate, polished tannins and supporting acidity. Savory dark fruits. Medium-plus body. Badia A Coltibuono is a quality maker in the Chianti region. This is their entry-level label, note that it is not a Chianti Classico, which is a separate DOCG. The Cultusboni label is a negociant line created by the Stucchi family, which means it is made using sangiovese grapes not necessarily grown in the family’s estate vineyards. Fermented in stainless steel, no noticeable oak influence. 12.5% ABV
The winery owners, Emanuela, Paolo, and Roberto Stucchi Prinetti, developed this brand in the late 1980s to be an every-day value wine. Roberto Stucchi Prinetti was the winemaker with Maurizio Castelli the consultant on this effort. The vineyard and winery date back to 1846, but archeological evidence indicates wine making going back to the first century A.D. It became a commercial winery in 1957. The present members of the Stucchi family operating the winery is the fifth generation to direct the effort. The Cetamura name comes from an Etruscan settlement discovered on the Badia a Coltibuono property.
The Stucchi family were early adopters of sustainable farming practices in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. All estate grapes are organically grown. The current, state-of-the-art winery was built in 1997, with special attention to the facility having a minimal environmental impact. Grapes are delicately processed by gravity-flow punchdown pistons to ensure soft skin contact.
Badia a Coltibuono Cultusboni Cetamura Chianti DOCG 2019 is a fresh, flavor-filled value wine from historic Tuscan site by fifth-generation winemakers. Versatile easy drinking weekday wine. Lacks significant depth and complexity, but delivers an affable fruit-forward slurp that is amenable in your mouth and on your wallet. Pair with Italian fare—what grows together goes together—particularly pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces; pizza; comfort food in general—meatloaf, burgers and sliders, mac and cheese; lamb chops, roast lamb; roast or braised veal with mushrooms; pork—pork chops, barbecued baby back ribs; grilled vegetables. Cheese—bold, aged cheeses; pecorino, parmigiano-reggiano, grana padano, aged asiago, cheddar, manchego, comté; avoid blue cheeses. $11-16
