Bibi Graetz Grilli

Toscana IGT, Tuscany

In Florence to have "Grilli" (crickets in Italian) means to be a dreamer.  This wine, born from the partnership with Mondavi, reflects the creative style and the dynamism of Bibi Graetz.  With this wine Bibi decided to break his own rule and make a wine which is not made by indigenous Tuscan grapes, but a wine made from international varieties, following the definition of "Supertuscan" and using Cabernet and Merlot.

Tasting Notes

Red fruits at the very beginning leave space to plum, dark chocolate and leather, with a super-fine acidity that supports the freshness.  A wine with an elegance rather than an aspect overpowering another.

2019 was a balanced vintage in line with some of the best harvests we had in the last years. Mild and temperate winter followed by a colder than usual spring with temperatures below seasonal averages. The summer season was hot, very dry and stable. These factors allowed us to have very healthy grapes with a nice level of acidity and sugar. The harvest started later than usual and lasted till the late mid of October.

The grapes, sourced from the area in between Firenze ad Siena, are handpicked and selected on the plants, destemmed and soft pressed before the fermentation. Natural fermentations, using indigenous yeasts and without any temperature control, lasts for 9 to 12 days followed by 3 to 5 days of maceration on the skins. Aging process, as well as the fermentation is conducted in stainless steel tanks, for 18 months.

2019 was a balanced vintage in line with some of the best harvests we had in the last years. Mild and temperate winter followed by a colder than usual spring with temperatures below seasonal averages. The summer season was hot, very dry and stable. These factors allowed us to have very healthy grapes with a nice level of acidity and sugar. The harvest started later than usual and lasted till the late mid of October.

In Florence to have "Grilli" (crickets in Italian) means to be a dreamer.  This wine, born from the partnership with Mondavi, reflects the creative style and the dynamism of Bibi Graetz.  With this wine Bibi decided to break his own rule and make a wine which is not made by indigenous Tuscan grapes, but a wine made from international varieties, following the definition of "Supertuscan" and using Cabernet and Merlot.

Tasting Notes

Under the ruby color, the nose is intense and complex.  This is a dry, full-bodied, and woody red featuring refreshing acidity.  On the palate, it showcases fleshy tannins and a broad mouthfeel that leads into a long finish.

After the extreme heat conditions of 2017, with the vintage 2018 we rediscover a very balanced vintage characterized by a cold winter and a mild spring.  The vines had a full vegetative development due to the generous rains before summer and a balanced sun exposure during summer.  Harvest started by the end of September and lasted till mid-October.

After the extreme heat conditions of 2017, with the vintage 2018 we rediscover a very balanced vintage characterized by a cold winter and a mild spring.  The vines had a full vegetative development due to the generous rains before summer and a balanced sun exposure during summer.  Harvest started by the end of September and lasted till mid-October.

Tasting Notes

Under the ruby color, the nose is intense and complex. This is dry, full-bodied, and woody red featuring refreshing acidity. On the palate, it showcases fleshy tannins and a broad mouthfeel that leads into a long finish.

Produced in Greve, Siena.  Soils are rich in Galestro and clay.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Syrah

  • 2020-08-20

    92

    points

    Wine Advocate, August 2020

    "The Bibi Graetz 2018 Grilli is an entry-level blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot that pours from the bottle with a darkly saturated color and visible richness. To the palate, the wine offers generous tones of black fruit, dried blackberry, spice, cedar wood and rum cake. There is a lot to take in with this medium to full-bodied blended red from Tuscany. The wine's fruity richness continues to the palate, and the finish is driven by just enough acidity to add freshness and zest. As the wine opens, you get a hint of spice or savory maple syrup. This wine is very much alive in terms of mouthfeel, and it makes a great near-term drinking choice for a hearty pasta dish with wild boar sauce."

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  • 2019-06-18

    92

    points

    James Suckling, June 2019

    "Shows lots of energy and density with freshness at the same time. This cabernet sauvignon and merlot blend delivers a vibrant and juicy vibe. No wood. Drink and enjoy."

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  • 2018-09-25

    90+

    Points

    Wine Advocate, September 2018

    "The 2016 Grilli is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Syrah and 20% Merlot (all from vineyards in Chianti) that is fermented and aged in steel vat to preserve the freshness and the fruit-froward nature of the wine. Grilli is also Bibi Graetz's only wine made with Bordeaux or international grapes instead of Italian indigenous varieties. You get great value at this price point especially if you are looking for a mid-weight red for immediate drinking that is intense, soft, ripe and succulent. The wine opens to a beautifully saturated color with dark veins of crimson and inky purple. The bouquet is redolent of blackberry preserves, sour cherry, dark plum, bitter almond and grilled rosemary twig. The finish closes with subtle tones of menthol or medicinal herb. Drink this wine within the next two or three years. Some 30,000 bottles were made."

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

2019 Bibi Graetz Grilli-Vintage Notes

Bibi Graetz Logo

2018 Bibi Graetz Grilli-WS88-Sell Sheet

2018 Bibi Graetz Grilli-JS92-Sell Sheet

Bibi Graetz Grilli-Label

2016 Bibi Graetz Grilli-Label

2018 Bibi Graetz Grilli-Label

2018 Bibi Graetz Grilli-Vintage Notes

2016 Bibi Graetz Grilli-Vintage Notes

2016 Bibi Graetz Grilli-WA90 Sales Sheet

Bibi Graetz Grilli-Bottle