Balifico, Toscana IGT — 2021
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Introduction
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WINERY Family-owned since 1967, located on a hilltop north of the town of Radda, 2,024 feet above sea level, highest vineyards in the Chianti Classico region.
WINE Pioneer in the Super-Tuscan movement, Balifico’s first vintage in 1983 as vino da tavola, eventually becoming a Toscana IGT in the early ‘90s.
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Vineyard Profile
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At 2,000 feet, this is one of the highest-elevation vineyards in the Chianti region.
- Appellation: Toscana IGT
- Location: Tuscany
- Vine Age: Ongoing plantings since 1980
- Soil: Sandstone
- Exposure: South-southwest (Sangiovese); Southwest (Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Density: Sangiovese: 5,435 vines/hectare (2,200 vines/acre); Cabernet Sauvignon: 5,698 vines/hectare (2,306 vines/acre)
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Vintage Report
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The 2021 vintage began with a rather hot March which was followed by a sharp drop in temperature at the beginning of April. Fortunately, this did not cause much damage to the buds. April and May were characterised by lower than average temperatures and plenty of rain. Summer was very hot and there was very little rainfall. From mid-August temperatures became milder with little rain continuing. The harvest began slightly earlier than usual.
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Vinification
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24 months in new French oak, and a minimum 6 month in the bottle.
- Aging: 24 months in New French oak barrels, and a minimum of 6 months in bottle.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: Sangiovese & Cabernet Sauvignon
- Alcohol: 14%
- TA: 5.3 g/L
- p H: 3.56
- RS: <0.5 g/L
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Tasting Notes
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The Balifico has a vivid ruby color with a dark purple tinge. The nose is elegant, displaying aromas of blackberry and blueberry with hints of oak and cinnamon. This is a smooth wine with good structure and a long finish tasting of red fruit.
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Images
Reviews
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Balifico, Toscana IGT — 2021 – James Suckling – 96 Points
"A vibrant red, packed with juicy cherry, raspberry, floral and mineral flavors, this is expressive and approachable now. The dense, dusty tannins flex on the finish, while this is harmonious and long overall. More elegant than powerful and very classy."
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Balifico, Toscana IGT — 2021 – James Suckling – 91 Points
"Youthful ester character with plums, red fruit and sweet spices. Crisp acidity that’s not fully integrated, with chewy tannins, a tight finish and a toasted aftertaste.”
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Balifico, Toscana IGT — 2021 – Wine Advocate – 95 Points
“This wine has a really fun fruit profile with lots of bright cherry that's framed by a fine-powdered mineral note. I find that combination to be very attractive and quite inviting, especially at the dinner table. The wine has the freshness to cut through fatty foods or meat and the dusty tannins needed to fuel a long finish.”
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Balifico, Toscana IGT — 2021 – Vinous – 94+ Points
"The 2021 Balifico, Volpaia's Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is another superb wine in this range. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, licorice, chocolate and dried herbs build beautifully, leading to a dense, substantial finish framed by equally insistent tannins. Ideally, readers should cellar this for at least a year or two."