Barone Ricasoli Colledilà 2021 is the single-vineyard Gran Selezione from the historic estate behindCastello di Brolio , an estate that has been producing wine in Chianti Classico since 1141. Colledilà revolves around a single vineyard in Gaiole in Chianti, planted with Sangiovese, specially selected to showcase the pure power and finesse of Brolio. What makes Barone Ricasoli Colledilà 2021 so special? It's a 100% Sangiovese from a chalky, prime vineyard, aged for 22 months in tonneaux, considered one of the flagship wines of Chianti Classico and acclaimed by the international press.
The grapes come from Italy: from Tuscany, from Chianti Classico around Gaiole, and from the Colledilà vineyard on the Castello di Brolio estate. The vines here are planted on clay-limestone soils with a high proportion of limestone, a soil type that Ricasoli himself describes as one of the most representative of Chianti Classico and that gives Sangiovese tension, depth, and a distinct mineral signature. The vineyard is situated on the hills surrounding the castle, where the days are warm but the nights are noticeably cooler, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The Ricasoli family has worked in these hills for nearly nine centuries and has, in recent decades, intensively researched the various Sangiovese clones and soils around Brolio, with Colledilà being one of the crus where that work is most clearly reflected in the bottle.
The 2021 growing season was particularly challenging in Chianti Classico. A late frost in April, followed by a dry summer, resulted in small but highly concentrated bunches and early grape ripening. Thanks to the experience with this vineyard and the water management of the chalky soils, Ricasoli managed to harvest perfectly ripe Sangiovese with abundant color, tension, and aromatic intensity, which is immediately evident in the wine's depth.
In the cellar, the bunches are destemmed, after which the grapes are gravity-fed into 100-hectoliter stainless steel conical tanks. There, they are inoculated with selected yeasts, and alcoholic fermentation begins at 24 to 27°C, with daily pigeage, during which the skins are gently pressed to extract color, aroma, and fine tannins. Maceration on the skins lasts approximately two weeks, long enough to develop structure without making the wine harsh.
After fermentation, Colledilà 2021 is aged for 22 months in 500-liter barrels. Approximately 30% of the barrels are new, the rest are second-use, allowing the wood to support the wine with structure, spice, and subtle toast, without overpowering the fruit. The final wine has an alcohol content of approximately 14.5% and is bottled after aging for extended bottle aging, allowing it to develop further in the coming years towards greater complexity and tertiary aromas.
Sangiovese – Colledilà, Gaiole in Chianti
Barone Ricasoli Colledilà 2021 is 100% Sangiovese from the Colledilà cru near Brolio. The combination of chalky clay, altitude, and strict selection produces a wine with intense red and black fruit, vibrant acidity, fine yet firm tannins, and a distinct mineral undertone.
