Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2016 (Italy) Rated 96JS

James Suckling Review
Rated 96
This is a wonderful pure sangiovese with wet earth, mushrooms, pine and cedar with black cherries. Full body. Dense and layered with ripe tannins, yet there's vivid and energetic acidity. It drives to the end and pulls you in. Top stuff. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate Review
Rated 94
TBadia a Passignano is one of the last vineyards to mature and one of the first to start, so it always has a very long growing cycle. The spring began with good weather with budbreak coming about ten days early, followed by a cool, early summer and a hot August. The Sangiovese-based 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Badia a Passignano shows some real ripeness on the close with more red and purple fruit rather than black fruit characteristics. This is a very traditional expression of the Tuscan grape and the least international of Marchesi Antinori's offerings. It's the kind of classic Sangiovese that belongs on the table next to a pappardelle with your favorite ragu. Drink now-2035.

Wine Tasting Notes
Intensely ruby red in color with purple highlights, this wine shows notes of cherry, strawberry and ripe raspberries as well as spice notes from the oak barrels. On the palate, the wine is soft with supple tannins. Savory and vibrant, the wine has a long and lingering finish. Badia is an exceptional expression of the Sangiovese grape in this part of the Chianti Classico appellation.