Deep violet color with pervasive balsamic notes accompanied by ripe red fruit and a round, silky finish.

In 1933 Carlo Marchi bought I Collazzi, a beautiful 960 acre Tuscan estate designed by Michelangelo. With just under 50 acres planted to vine, the heart of the estate sits on the northern border of the Chianti Classico district. Villa Collazzi is currently run by three siblings from the Marchi family – Carlo Marchi, Grazia Marchi Gazzoni Frascara and Bona Marchi Frescobaldi. They grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese and produce I Bastioni, a Chianti Classico and Collazzi, a Super Tuscan blend. Their first vintage was 1999.

Technical notes

(60% Cabernet Sauvignon/26% Merlot/10% Cabernet Franc/4% Petit Verdot). From southwest facing estate vineyards, planted to sandy and clay soils, rich in limestone. Each varietal was handpicked and sorted twice. The wine aged for 15 months in oak barriques, of which 50% were new and 50% were a year old.

Producer

Acquired in 1933 by Carlo Marchi, the beautiful I Collazzi estate is a jewel amongst Italy's many architectural jewels. Designed by Michelangelo, the original house was built on the ruins of a Roman fort and commands a view over the countryside unparalleled by any other in the region. Villa Collazzi is currently run by three siblings from the Marchi family – Carlo Marchi, Grazia Marchi Gazzoni Frascara and Bona Marchi Frescobaldi, The first vintage under the Collazzi label was 1999. The eastern side of the northern border of the Chianti Classico district runs through the Tenuta I Collazzi property. Of the estate's 960 acres just under 50 are currently planted to vines. The soils are composed of clay, sand and rock. The property is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. The estate produces a Chianti Classico called I Bastioni and a Super Tuscan blend called Collazzi.