This winery dates back the early 1700s when Niccolò Bandinelli began exporting his wines to Great Britain. He was among the early innovators helping to grow Italy’s market to the broader European market. In 1959 Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli donated the largest part of his lands to the farmers who were working them and helped found the Cooperativa Sociale di Geggiano. In 1995, brothers Andrea and Alessandro Boscu Bianchi Bandinelli decided to take over the running of the Estate and began the long, tedious process of buying the land back, planting new vines and renovating the cellar. Their goal was to begin a renaissance of wine production for commercial distribution. They focused on small production, organically produced wines, preferring quality over volume. Today the Bandinelli’s family’s young generation are actively involved in the production of the wines. They focus on premium, organically grown wine quality with an emphasis on the expression of their classic terroir. Total production is in the 30,000 bottle/year range.
2019 Villa di Geggiano, Chianti Classico (RT92) Revealing a decidedly old world persona, the 2019 Geggiano Chianti Classico is authentic in every measure and crafted from 100% Sangiovese. Deep russet with a translucent garnet cast, it serves up a spicey bouquet with notes of woodsy bramble berries, dried black cherries, crushed stones and notes of the dusty Tuscan countryside. The palate favors the austere side and is utterly classic with an attractive balance of ripe fruit and acids finishing with slightly drying tannins that will require a couple years to integrate and refine. This is a classic, earth-driven chianti Classico and is a magnificent example of great Tuscan winemaking from a superb vintage. Drink 2027-2037+ Tasted March 2025
Crafted from 15-20 year old vines that were hand-picked, destemmed and soft pressed using indigenous yeasts. Fermented in stainless, after malolactic this wine is aged for 18 months in 500L French oak Tonneaux. Only 10% new oak is used each vintage, it is then bottled and aged on site for a minimum of 4 months prior to release into the market. All the wines produced at Geggiano are Certified Organic.
2018 Villa di Geggiano, Chianti Classico Riserva (RT92+) The 2018 Geggiano Chianti Classico Riserva is blended from 97% Sangiovese with a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon. With the 2018 Riserva the delivery is a little less aromatically stimulating than the 2019 Chianti Classico and suggests the best will be brought out with some additional bottle aging. Showing a bit more polish and refinement when first opened – perhaps a result of the addition of a few percent Cabernet Sauvignon and additional bottle aging – on day two it began to unfurl and reveal a bit more earthy terroir. Deeply nuanced with notes of black cherry liqueur, dusty spices, brown tobacco and hints of saddle leather, the aromatic package begs to be paired with a hearty tomato pasta, smoked charcuterie or a grilled meat dish. The palate is of medium weight and density with ripe fruit, brisk acidity and a tannic finish packed with suave ripeness. Drink 2026-2034 Tasted March 2025
Crafted from 30 year old vines that were hand-picked, destemmed and soft pressed using indigenous yeasts. Fermented in stainless, after malolactic this wine is aged for 24 months in 500L French oak Tonneaux. About 10% new oak is used each vintage, it is then bottled and aged on site for a minimum of 4 months prior to release into the market. Total Chianti Classico Riserva production is about 4,000 per vintage. The Riserva bottling employs a higher quality, longer cork, suggesting longer aging potential than the Chianti Classico. All the wines produced at Geggiano are Certified Organic.
