The Badia a Passignano abbey is situated in Sambuca Val di Pesa, three kilometers to the south of the Tenuta Tignanello estate. The fundamental importance of this abbey in the history of Chianti Classico can be read in many volumes housed in the State Archives of Florence, which confirm the presence of a Sangiovese vineyard. Further confirmation occurred in 1983 when, in the terrain surrounding the abbey, a millennia-old Vitis vinifera vine was found. The Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is the only Chianti made by Antinori with 100% Sangiovese (aged in Hungarian oak in the abbey’s underground cellars) and is made from a selection of the best grapes from the 53 hectares owned by the family since 1987.
"The 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Badia a Passignano is a pure expression of Sangiovese. Fruit is sourced from the San Donato area of the appellation that is not an official subzone yet but is increasingly emerging as such. This wine is distinguished by a beautiful level of openness and softness (on the Sangiovese spectrum, which means you also get a bright dose of acidity). That softness or lushness comes in part due to the warm vintage but also thanks to the winemaking approach that relies on larger barrels (from 300 to 500 liters) and Hungarian oak that tends to be more porous and thickly textured for increased passage of oxygen. The wine offers beautiful balance between its dark fruit and savory spice comments."
94/100 Monica Larner, Wine Advocate