A new and highly distinctive expression of 100% Sangiovese from Bibi Graetz, Bambole was conceived as a wine with particular appeal to sommeliers—combining the elegance of high-altitude Tuscan vineyards with a more experimental approach to whole-cluster fermentation. Sourced predominantly from the Olmo vineyard at 400 meters above sea level, the 2023 is perfumed, silky and energetic, with beautiful red fruit, floral complexity and a distinctly mineral edge.
Region: Fiesole, Tuscany, Italy
Appellation: Toscana IGT
Grape: 100% Sangiovese
Vineyards: 80% Olmo, 20% Vincigliata
Vine Age: Approximately 70 years
Style: Medium-bodied, elegant and perfumed Tuscan red
Alcohol: 14.5% ABV
Vinification: 20% whole-cluster fermentation
Aging: 18 months, 80% in stainless steel and 20% in oak
Nose:
Beautifully aromatic, opening with wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry, followed by rose petals, lavender, licorice and white pepper. Subtle earthy and herbal nuances add complexity, with the partial whole-cluster fermentation contributing an attractive lifted perfume.
Palate:
Silky and refined, with bright red berries and cherry flowing across the palate. The fruit is juicy yet wonderfully controlled, complemented by savory spice, delicate earthiness and a mineral character that gives the wine a distinctly Tuscan personality.
Structure:
Medium-bodied and remarkably elegant, with refreshing acidity and finely textured tannins. Despite its concentration and 14.5% alcohol, Bambole retains an almost weightless quality, helped by the freshness of the high-altitude Olmo vineyard and the inclusion of 20% whole clusters.
Finish:
Long and graceful, with lingering red berries, rose, white pepper, licorice and fine mineral spice.
Bambole represents another creative chapter in the story of Bibi Graetz.
Created as part of a new project specifically intended to produce wines with strong appeal to sommeliers, Bambole Rosso is sourced from two vineyards in the hills of Fiesole overlooking Florence. Approximately 80% comes from the cooler Olmo vineyard at 400 meters, with the remaining 20% from Vincigliata at approximately 250 meters. The old Sangiovese vines grow on clay-rich soils scattered with fragments of galestro, Tuscany's characteristic friable stone.
The best bunches are carefully selected, with 20% fermented as whole clusters. The wine then spends 18 months predominantly in stainless steel, with just 20% matured in oak. This restrained approach keeps Sangiovese's perfume, freshness, and vineyard character at the forefront.
The result is a sophisticated yet wonderfully individual Tuscan red: silky, floral and mineral, with impressive freshness and a beautifully savory personality.
The 2023 vintage produced particularly fresh and aromatic wines at Bibi Graetz. Winter rainfall replenished water reserves, while the growing season provided sufficient warmth and water for even ripening. Significant differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures around harvest helped preserve acidity and aromatic definition. Bibi describes the resulting 2023 wines as particularly fresh, crisp, fruity and elegant.
Bambole has received an excellent early critical reception, including 95 points from James Suckling, 92 from Vinous and 92 from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
2025–2035
Already highly enjoyable for its silky texture, bright fruit and floral character, Bambole can be enjoyed young with some air or cellared for additional complexity. Over time, expect its fresh cherry and wild strawberry character to evolve toward dried flowers, tobacco, leather, forest floor and savory Tuscan herbs.
Excellent with bistecca alla Fiorentina, grilled lamb, tagliatelle with wild boar ragù, roast pork, mushroom risotto, Tuscan sausages, charcuterie and aged Pecorino.
Its combination of vibrant acidity, savory character and polished tannins makes Bambole particularly food-friendly—equally at home with a refined duck breast or herb-crusted lamb as with rustic Tuscan pasta and grilled meats.
