2020 Collazzi I Bastioni Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

80% Sangiovese, 18% Merlot, 2% Malvasia Nera; alcohol: 13%; vineyard in Commune San Casciano Val di Pesa; soils clay and limestone, part sand; vines average age 25 years; hand harvested into baskets; manual sorting in cellar; malolactic fermentation in part oak barriques, part stainless steel tanks; aged in barriques 18 months.

Villa Collazzi is one of the most impressive estates in all of Tuscany. This architectural landmark was originally designed by Michelangelo in 1560 for his friend, Agostino Dini. It offers commanding views of the surrounding countryside. I Collazzi is a property of the Marchi brothers, Carlo and Bona. During the last decade the Marchi brothers invested heavily in the development of Collazzi’s farming business, renewing the vineyards and restructuring the cellar, with the goal of producing excellent wines.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Villa Collazzi is one of the most impressive estates in all of Tuscany. Set atop a hill located a few miles south of Florence on the old road to Volterra, it offers commanding views of the surrounding countryside. This architectural landmark was originally designed by Michelangelo in 1560 for his friend, Agostino Dini. It features two rows of loggias above a large courtyard enclosed on three sides and open on a fourth. The building remained incomplete for centuries until it was purchased by the Marchi family in 1933.

Of the estate’s 960 acres 71 are currently planted to vines. The soils are composed of clay, sand and rock. Well-draining and low in organic matter, they offer the perfect habitat for grapes. The property is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. The wines are aged primarily in new French oak barrels. The estate produces a Chianti Classico called I Bastioni and a Super-Tuscan blend called Collazzi.

Villa Collazzi is currently run by three siblings from the Marchi family – Carlo Marchi, Grazia Marchi Gazzoni Frascara and Bona Marchi Frescobaldi. The first vintage under the Collazzi label was 1999. During the last decade the Marchis invested heavily in the development of Collazzi’s farming business, renewing the vineyards and restructuring the cellar.