Graetz, Bibi - Colore 2020

JAMES SUCKLING: "The subtlety and perfumed nature of this wine is enchanting, offering flowers, orange peel and cherries. Wonderful ripe strawberries, too. Full-bodied, but not over the top, with tannins that are polished and run the length of the wine. It’s tight, but gives you every indication of a terrific wine. You want to drink it now, and you probably should do, because it’s so alluring. Yet it will age beautifully as well. Drink or hold."

DECANTER: "Bright and lively on the palate, such beautifully expressed raspberry and red cherry fruit flavours alongside high-shining acidity that is so clean and precise. A supremely joyful expression with hints of caramelised strawberries and fresh mint. So sharp but so well defined with a clarity to the palate that is gorgeous. Really delivers a sophisticated, charming, characterful wine that is balanced, easy to enjoy with plenty of life. A more structured and perhaps harder to understand wine than Testamatta this year, but both have their own lovely personalities. This is so complete and abundant, muscular but controlled and full of complexity and detail - there's weight and density without heaviness. A sensational wine. Ageing 12 months in 500l French oak barrels."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The Bibi Graetz 2020 Colore is a pure expression of Sangiovese all sourced from old vines that are carefully selected in various parts of Tuscany. Much of the fruit comes from a high elevation and cool site in Lamole, or from 70-year-old vines in Bagno a Ripoli or Vincigliata near Fiesole. A small percentage of old vines in Olmo is also used. Bibi has a preference for old vines, and you can taste the lovely depth and complexity that comes through in the Colore. Compared to his other wine Testamatta, this wine has seen fewer stylistic changes over the years, and the goal has always been elegance and finesse. Colore boasts a pretty luminous quality with dark fruit aromas and wild berry. There are hints of licorice and mint as well. Mineral flavors and bright acidity are what set Colore apart."

WEINWISSER: "Neue Weinberglagen in Olmo, die Frische beisteuern, und eine neue Kellerei in Fiesole kennzeichnen nach eigenen Aussagen den Jahrgang 2020 von Bibi Graetz. Die Farbe des Colore 2020 ist gewohnt zart und leicht. Frische Kräuter, eine feine Sangiovese-Frucht und Bananenschalen arrangieren sich in einem tiefgründigen Duftbild auf elegante Weise. Leichtfüßig, zart, helltönig und charmant seidig entwickelt der Colore im Mund einen charaktervollen Aromenteppich. Mit schöner Hülle und knochiger Struktur ausgestattet, könnte man sich beim Colore auch ein wenig mehr Fülle vorstellen. Aber das ist eben sein Stil. 13,5 vol.-%."

FALSTAFF: "Funkelndes, helles Goldgelb, leuchtet intensiv. Eröffnet mit intensiven Noten nach Kamille und Honigmelone, im Hintergrund würzige Macchiasträucher. Rund und geschmeidig im Ansatz, zeigt im Verlauf betont salzige Noten, hat gute Spannung, im Finale nach Jasminblüten, leicht harzige Komponenten."