A dense, rich red highlighted by black cherry, blackberry and blueberry flavors, with flashes of vanilla and toasty oak underscored by mineral and wild herbs. Features fine balance and texture. A tannic structure emerges on the earth-tinged finish, suggesting this will need another 2-3 years before it hits its stride. One for the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2043.

Sourced from a single vineyard surrounding the abbey of Badia a Passignano, the 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Baddia A Passignano has an attractive, seamless perfume of wet stone, candied red cherry, rosemary, and pressed flowers. It floods the palate with pure red fruits, super-fine tannins, warming baking spices, and fresh salinity. This remarkable and gorgeous wine is deceptively easy-drinking now and will continue to improve over the coming 10-15 years.

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.