Featuring a wine from Tenuta Bibbiano, located in Castellina in Chianti, is a real flash from the past for me. This well-known estate, one of the oldest in Tuscany, was part of the wine portfolio that our company imported and distributed when I was just getting into the wine business. It’s gratifying to see that they’re still around (fortunately, I’m still around as well) and still making such delicious Tuscan wines. The family estate, owned by brothers Tommaso and Federico Marrocchesi Marzi, dates back to 1865 but the property itself has an even older history, first mentioned on a parchment deed in 1089.

Today the estate extends over more 200 hectares of land with 37 hectares of vineyards, all certified organic with the majority of vineyards planted to Sangiovese. There is also a small quantity of indigenous grapes grown, like Canaiolo, Malvasia Nera and Colorino, as well as some white vines of Trebbiano and Malvasia Bianca del Chianti. Bibbiano does not use any of the so-called ‘modern’ varieties, preferring to concentrate on the region’s iconic grape varieties. The vineyards are located on the two slopes of Bibbiano’s hill, two different terroirs for exposure, microclimate and soil; Capannino, looking to south-west, with clay and limestone-schist rock, planted with the Capannino monoclone of Sangiovese Grosso and Montornello; looking to north-east, soil with calcareous-clay and round stones plus some chalk and planted with Sangiovese del Chianti.

The 2019 Bibbiano ‘Passotasso’ Rosso draws upon this rich, illustrious history to produce what I describe as an ‘elemental’ Tuscan red; based on Sangiovese with other indigenous varieties chiming in. It displays the bright, cherry fruit of Sangiovese, as well as the firm structure and earthy spice of this noble grape variety. Grown organically, fermented and aged in stainless steel, it’s a beautifully balanced and delicious quaff; fantastic value in everyday red and certain to pair nicely with all your Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Have at it!