Bibi GraetzProducer from Tuscany, Italy

Bibi Graetz has quickly risen from novice to one of Italy's most sought-after cult producers. He is well-known for his 100% Sangiovese wines, particularly Testamatta Bibi Graetz and Colore. Critics praise his wines for their pure flavours, smooth texture, and ability to age well.

The 2018 vintage of his Bibi Graetz Testamatta got a perfect 100-point score from Decanter/Jane Anson. This caught the eye of wine collectors. Famous wine critics like Robert Parker from The Wine Advocate and James Suckling have praised the wine. This has helped strengthen his reputation in the wine world.

The story of Bibi Graetz:

Bibi Graetz's story is important. It starts in the early 2000s in Italy, a country with a rich wine history. This includes the famous Chianti Classico region. Graetz's journey into winemaking diverges from the norm, beginning with his Norwegian parents who raised him in a medieval castle in Fiesole, a place steeped more in the arts than in viticulture.

Initially inclined towards painting, Graetz shifted his focus to the vineyards around his ancestral home, emerging as one of Tuscany's pioneering winemakers despite lacking formal education.

Graetz stands out not only for the exceptional quality of his wines but also for his bold approach to viticulture. He challenged strict appellation norms by cultivating old vines of indigenous varieties, particularly Sangiovese. This led to the creation of his acclaimed wines, Testamatta and Colore, celebrated for their sophistication and vivid representation of local terroir.

Graetz’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to authenticity have earned high praise from critics, including Robert Parker and James Suckling, helping to redefine Tuscan wine for modern audiences. Each bottle tells a story of place and passion, blending tradition with innovation and harmonising winemaking craftsmanship with the enchanting Tuscan scenery.

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The wines of Bibi Graetz:

Bibi Graetz Colore:

Colore represents the pinnacle of Bibi Graetz's vision, born from the venerable Sangiovese vineyards steeped in history. The blend of meagre soils interspersed with sand and stones, coupled with the elevated terrain, cultivates an ideal terroir that encapsulates the essence of Tuscany and its age-old flavours. Only the exceptional few barrels selected from the entire production are destined to be labelled as Colore, marking it as a true testament to excellence.

Bibi Graetz Testamatta:

"Testamatta," which translates to "crazy head" in Italian, perfectly encapsulates the essence of Bibi Graetz: a figure marked by positivity, creativity, and passion. The Testamatta wine is a reflection of this spirit, showcasing the pure, mineral-rich, and transparent character of Sangiovese harvested from ancient vines situated on hilltops with stone-laden soils. This Supertuscan, crafted exclusively from Sangiovese grapes, emerges from a harmonious blend of traditional methods and inventive flair.

BALOCCHI DI COLORE N°1

Balocchi di Colore N°1 comes from the oldest Sangiovese vines of Vincigliata vineyard, grapes which have always been used as a component of the Colore blend due to their bright acidity and balsamic notes. With the Balocchi di Colore N°1 Bibi likes to play with showing the character of the single vineyard of Vincigliata expressed through the Sangiovese grape in these games of Colore’s components. The wine delivers aromas of small red fruits and eucalyptus with a brilliant red colour and delicate, silky tannins.

BALOCCHI DI COLORE N°3

Balocchi di Colore N°3, featuring the Colorino variety, is distinguished by its deep hue and plush, velvety tannins that envelop the palate. This robust wine boasts a formidable structure, where its sheer power and intensity take centre stage. It's this compelling character that was key to shaping the bold profile of the inaugural Colore vintage released in 2000.

BALOCCHI DI COLORE N°8

For centuries, Canaiolo grapes have graced the historic vineyards of Tuscany, lending colour, acidity, and a pleasant drinkability to Chianti wines. Balocchi di Colore N°8 celebrates Canaiolo in its purest form, a wine that harbours a distinct profile brimming with red fruits, a lively acidity, and pronounced red pepper nuances. The unique terroir of plot N°8 imparts a remarkable freshness to both the Colore 2020 blend and the solely Canaiolo-crafted Balocchi di Colore N°8. Olmo plays a pivotal role, symbolizing the future of the Bibi Graetz project, which increasingly leans towards a refined elegance.