Bibi Graetz | Testamatta

From some of the oldest Sangiovese vineyards comes Colore every year, the maximum expression of Bibi Graetz' dream. The barren, sandy soils at high altitudes create the perfect terroir for a wine that can tell the true story of Tuscany and its inhabitants. The grapes for Colore were selected from vineyards in Lamole, Vincigliata and Siena. Each vineyard was harvested up to eight times in order to achieve the optimum ripening time for as many grapes as possible. Each parcel is matured separately in barriques for almost two years before the final blend is decided. Only the best Sangiovese barriques from each vintage become Colore.

Spicier and more intensely floral than Testamatta - as if we had moved from the fresh flowers to the perfumer's laboratory, but still with plenty of vibrant fresh rose petals. This wine is bloodier, fleshier and richer than the Testamatta Rosso with an iron note in the minerality. Generous on the palate, but also with delicacy and finesse, crushed berries and notes of candle wax. Intense due to the narrow frame, which reinforces the feeling of compactness and density. Clear, bright and with an intense flavour on the sharp finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, very dense ruby colour. Very fine and inviting nose, classic Sangiovese fruit of dark cherry, then fine tobacco, plus blackberry and roses. Firm, gripping tannins on the palate, savoury and with good tension, has substance and depth, with pronounced earthy notes on the final." Falstaff

"The Bibi Graetz 2022 Colore only draws its fruit from two sites in this vintage: from 60-year-old vines in the Olmo vineyard (at an altitude of over 400 metres) and 88-year-old vines in Lamole (Chianti Classico). The vines are mostly south-facing, but the altitude is decisive. Testamatta, on the other hand, comes from predominantly cool, north-facing vineyards. The results show plenty of vertical vigour and sharp tones with bright fruit, mineral graphite and blue flowers. Bibi strives for transparency in his wines, and although the 2022 vintage delivers heavier fruit flavours overall, the wine offers a nice textural lightness." Wine Advocate

"Precisely moulded and very intense, the Colore 2022 is both padded and bright. Dark berries, spices and blood orange are picked up by a lingering, savoury finish. At the moment it is more closed than the Testamatta, but with time it will reveal more of its beauty." Decanter

"Perfect Sangiovese, with cherry blossom, chalk, shells, fine sand and violets on the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with concentrated and balanced tannins that are beautifully integrated and quite endless. Crisp and chewy on the finish. So much presence. You want to spend time with this wine. A top selection from two vineyards, the Olmo and one in the village of Chianti Classico in Lamole, aged 60 and 88 years respectively. This is a wine that gives a lot of pleasure now, but will be even better in two or three years." James Suckling

From some of the oldest Sangiovese vineyards comes Colore every year, the maximum expression of Bibi Graetz' dream. The barren, sandy soils at high altitudes create the perfect terroir for a wine that can tell the true story of Tuscany and its inhabitants. The grapes for Colore were selected from vineyards in Lamole, Vincigliata and Siena. Each vineyard was harvested up to eight times in order to achieve the optimum ripening time for as many grapes as possible. Each parcel is matured separately in barriques for almost two years before the final blend is decided. Only the best Sangiovese barriques from each vintage become Colore. SUPERIORE.DE

The Colore 2021 is an irresistibly delicate Sangiovese with a distinctly high-altitude character. Darker and denser in colour than usual. It smells rich, dense, sweet and intense from the glass, much more aromatic than in previous years. Deep, spicy and very youthful with a slightly reductive note, the Colore 2021 has plenty of juice and fullness on the nose. Rich, velvety and fleshy on the tongue, it is very profound, mature and full-bodied. A great, delicate and finesse-rich Sangiovese with penetrating power and delicate acidity. Delicate, elegant and extremely persistent, it leaves a much fuller and fuller body than usual. An inspiring colore with a long finish." Weinwisser

"Brilliant medium to deep ruby red colour. Brooding and with aeration, showing a cloud of fragrant but spicy raspberry and cherry fruit and then pet shop! Just a hint of cigar box. Plenty of powdery tannins that support the fruit rather than dominate the finish. Long, tannic and supple at the same time. It will age gracefully." Jancis Robinson

"Pure and elegant, offering a beam of cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, rose and mineral aromas and flavors. This harmonious version builds in intensity to the long, fruit-filled finish, where a hint of blood orange peeks through." Wine Spectator

"The nose reveals aromas of dark fruits and berries, which are surrounded by rubbery, slightly smoky notes. A juicier, denser berry flavour defines the velvety palate, while bitter undertones of orange and chocolate provide structure. Firm, taut tannins emerge in a warm finish." Wine Enthusiast

"The Bibi Graetz 2021 Colore is a Sangiovese from old vines, but otherwise the vinification and oak ageing is identical to the other top red wine Testamatta. In this case, the fruit comes from the Lamole area with vineyards at 600 metres above sea level. Some of them face south, but are located high up on the mountain. As Bibi explains: "The Colore provides vigour and freshness, while the Testamatta offers transparency and freshness." The Colore shows the pure energy and vibrancy of Sangiovese with violets, wild cherry and orange zest. The wine shows an elegant, earthy side with a very fine mouthfeel supported by very fine, gentle tannins. This is a beautiful wine with a delicately sweet cherry finish. Bibi has changed this wine very little over the years (apart from giving it a new home at the estate in Fiesole) to create an ideal or benchmark for Sangiovese. His 2021 is his best wine yet." Wine Advocate

"Another excellent wine from Bibi Graetz made from selected old Sangiovese vines. Herbaceous and spicy on the nose, fragrant but with savoury aspects rather than overtly floral or fruity. Intense and direct, with energy and forwardness, it hits you straight away. So supple and well defined, soft yet lively and energetic with tannins that are so beautifully executed. Almost plush and chewy, adding weight and texture to the palate, while overall quite light and airy. Complex and invigorating, fresh and wild at the same time - I love the character, it's pure but with a sense of authenticity that summarises the terroir and winemaking philosophy so beautifully. The finish is extremely flavoursome with mint, liquorice, spiced blackcurrants and cool cherries!" Decanter

"Intense aromas of violet fruits such as raspberries, spices, pencil and granite. Also fragrant flowers. Full-bodied, dense with balanced tannins that show transparency and focus. Crisp and very long. Better after 2028, when it opens up and integrates beautifully." James Suckling

The small, 80-year-old vineyard of Pietrabona on the island of Giglio produces an Ansonica of outstanding quality, and so Bibi Graetz decided to vinify the grapes separately in small batches. The vines stand on a bed of rocks and granite sand less than 50 metres from the sea, resulting in a wine with a subtle aroma of ripe oranges, fine spice, flint and minerality. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with white-golden reflections. More brooding and slightly deeper than the Testamatta and restrained due to complex, muted oak. Multi-layered and opening up in the glass. It opens up very slowly on the palate. The ripe acidity comes almost as an afterthought and then wires the long finish. Superfine texture." Jancis Robinson

"The 2022 vintage is the third year in a row of consistent summer heat, but the island microclimate benefits from breezes that keep things from heating up too much. In fact, temperatures here remain quite stable which helps because there is very little rainfall. This wine has a direct and vertical character with pretty richness. It offers tropical tones of papaya, gooseberry and green melon with salted caramel and spicy saffron." Wine Advocate

"Intense aromas of lime zest and other citrus fruits. Also some apricot. Crushed stone. Sea breeze and crushed sea salt. Full-bodied with a firm and intense texture that is so long and flavourful. It lasts for minutes. Beautiful bitter notes of dried lemon and apricot. Botanical notes. Slight bite adds to the complexity." James Suckling