2021 Balocchi No.7, Cabernet Franc, Poderi dell'Olmo, Bibi Graetz, Tuscany, Italy
Description
The 2021 Balocchi di Cabernet Franc is arrestingly beautiful. A new and extremely limited addition to the Balocchi series, just 1,200 bottles of this precious cuvée were produced from old Cabernet Franc vines in Olmo, Fiesole. The nose is complex and defined, moving from heady, red and blue berries, to pretty dried violet and rose petal. The palate is sculpted from marble, so light on its feet as it delivers waves of red and black cherry, dried strawberry and plum, accented by blood orange and floral perfume. This is ethereal, showing the power, minerality and fragility of old vine Cabernet Franc. It saw a maturation of 24 months in old 225l barriques.
Charlie Leech, Buying Assistant, Berry Bros. & Rudd
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Colour
Red -
Sweetness
Dry -
Vintage
2021 -
Alcohol
14.5% -
Grape
Cabernet Franc -
Body
Full Bodied -
Producer
Bibi Graetz
Critics reviews
This is a sensational Cabernet Franc with blackberries, violets, and hints of stems, dark earth, and dark chocolate. It is medium-bodied with beautifully integrated tannins and a long, long finish. It takes off. This will give the best of Loire cabernet franc a run for its money. 1,200 bottles made. Just drink it.
Drink or hold
Bibi Graetz is visibly proud of his latest creation, and indeed, it represents something new even for this out-of-the-box-thinking vintner. The 2021 Cabernet Franc Podere dell’Olmo Balocchi di Colore N. 7 is a big surprise for a winemaker so married to indigenous Tuscan grapes. The wine shows a pretty nose with sweet fruits that are red and purple in character rather than black. It delivers excellent freshness, good length and a mouthfeel that is firm but not heavy. The tannins are integrated and elegant.
Bibi Graetz is reducing his production numbers, going from 500,000 bottles produced in 2013 to less than half that number in recent years. His top-shelf Colore has been reduced from 50,000 bottles in 2020 to only 15,000, with fruit sourced from two vineyard sites. He is committed to adopting “a more selective approach.” As someone who has studied his portfolio for many years, I still have concerns over the ever-changing wines and introducing new products and removing others), which could cause confusion among consumers. As Bibi’s new vineyard sites in Fiesole become mature, the portfolio will also consolidate.
Drink 2024 - 2035