2018 Bibi Graetz Colore

2018 Bibi Graetz Colore is the iconic flagship red of Bibi Graetz, a powerful yet finely detailed Tuscan masterpiece based primarily on old-vine Sangiovese. Sourced mainly from vertiginous, high-altitude parcels in Lamole planted 80–135 years ago, this is produced in tiny quantities from some of the rarest vineyards in the region. A touch of Colorino – just 5% in this vintage – adds polish and depth, helping elevate Colore to one of Tuscany’s most sought-after collector wines.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Colore shows a deep, vibrant ruby color with garnet highlights at the rim, signaling both intensity and refinement. The nose is strikingly pure and layered: an explosion of red cherries and wild raspberries that, with air, evolves into rose petals, violet, blood orange, iron-rich earth, crushed stones and aromatic Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, this is full-bodied and structured yet incredibly precise, with a firm Sangiovese backbone wrapped in velvety tannins from the Colorino component. Juicy red berry and sour cherry fruit is supported by savory mineral notes, hints of orange zest, spice and dried flowers, all carried by vivid acidity and impressive length. The tannins are abundant but beautifully ripe, suggesting a long life ahead; while already thrilling in its youth if given proper air, this vintage is built to evolve gracefully for 15–20+ years in a good cellar.

Production
Colore 2018 is crafted almost entirely from the Lamole vineyard (around 90%), at high altitude in the hills of Tuscany, with a smaller portion from Bibi Graetz’s historic Vincigliata site near Siena. These old vines, some 80–135 years of age, grow on poor, stony soils that naturally limit yields and concentrate flavor, giving the wine its remarkable structure and mineral drive. Each vineyard is harvested by hand up to eight separate times to ensure perfect ripeness, followed by an initial selection in the vineyard and a second strict sorting at the winery. The berries are gently crushed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in small, open-top barriques, with 6–8 manual punch-downs per day and no temperature control, plus an extra week of maceration on the skins. After primary fermentation, the wine is transferred to new barriques for malolactic fermentation and then aged for a full three years in barrel before release, with only the very best barrels selected to become Colore.

Food & Serving
This is a serious, gastronomic wine that shines alongside richly flavored dishes: think bistecca alla fiorentina, slow-braised lamb shanks, wild boar ragù, aged pecorino, truffle dishes, or game birds with herbs and roasted root vegetables. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Bordeaux-style glasses to allow the aromatics to unfold. The 2018 Colore is youthful and tightly coiled on release, so decanting is strongly recommended: at least 2–3 hours for current drinking, or even longer if you prefer a more open, expansive expression. For patient collectors, consider cellaring a few bottles and checking in periodically to follow its evolution.

Producer
Bibi Graetz, based in Tuscany, has quickly risen from an artistic outsider to one of the most acclaimed names in contemporary Italian wine. Working with some of the region’s oldest and highest-altitude vineyards, he has built a reputation for breathing new life into traditional Tuscan varieties like Sangiovese and Colorino, often from tiny, dramatically situated parcels. Colore is his ultimate expression – a micro-produced flagship that encapsulates his philosophy of extreme selection, old vines, and minimal-intervention winemaking. Over the years, Colore has garnered some of the highest critical scores in Tuscany, cementing both the wine and the estate as modern icons of the region.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.