From our house at Collalto, we can see the towns of Montalcino (the home of world-famous Brunello) and Montepulciano (home to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano). Fantastic Chianti Classico is produced just 20 minutes away. Therefore, we felt that the climate and soil should be conducive to producing an excellent wine. The vendemmia (grape harvest time) is a magical time in Tuscany, when vines loaded with ripe grapes blanket the countryside. The weather is often sunny and warm, and the entire region hums with frenetic activity. This combination of climate, terroir and attention to detail allow us to produce a wine of the highest quality that you are sure to enjoy.

Robert Leon Buly

Vineyard Location: Podere Collalto-Trequanda (Siena) Italia 53020

Soil: Argilla (Clay) and Arenaria (Sandstone)

Training System: 70% Unilateral Cordon-spur trained (cane pruned) and 30% Guyot

Elevation: 515 m above sea level

Enologist: Diego Ciurletti

Agronomist: Alessandro Gemini

Wine Name:  Canaiolo 2016 IGT

Variety: Canaiolo 100%
Vine density: 2500 vines/ha
Harvest: end of September
Fermentation and maceration : 25 days
Maturation : 6 months steel tank
Alcohol 14% by volume
Total Acidity:  4.13 g/L
pH 3.92

Total Production: 1000 Bottles

Wine Name:  Buli Estate 44 2015 IGT
Varieties: 80% sangiovese, 20% cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah
Vines density : 4600 vines/ha
Harvest : from the end of September (sangiovese, syrah and merlot) to early October (cabernet sauvignon)
Fermentation and maceration : 25 days
Maturation :  sangiovese aged for 1 year in steel tank (80%) and Slavonian oak 1000 Lt. cask (20%) to preserve the fresh fruit flavors, syrah merlot and cabernet aged for 1 year in new (20%) and old (80%) French oak barrels.

Alcohol: 14% by volume
Total acidity: 4.61 g/l
pH 3.69

Total Production: 8100 Bottles

Buli Gran Vintage 2014 IGT
Varieties:. 48% syrah,  30% cabernet sauvignon,  15% sangiovese and 7% merlot
Vines density : 4600 vines/ha
Harvest : from the end of September (sangiovese, syrah and merlot) to early October (caberent sauvignon)
Fermentation and maceration : 25 days
Maturation : the wines are aged separately in new French oak barrels (40%) and used barrels (60%) for 2 years.  Blending occurs one month before bottling.
Alcohol : 13.5% by volume
Total acidity : 5.27 g/l
pH 3.62
Total Production: 3800 Bottles

In Italy, even if you own land, you cannot simply establish a vineyard. First, you must purchase the rights to plant. This is done through the local agricultural administration. Producers who have taken their vineyards out of production can sell their license. The parcels come in a variety of acreages, and the price is dependent on its appellation -
DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) or IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica). There are 74 DOCG wines in Italy and 329 DOC wines. These are defined by discrete geographic zones and can only contain certain grape varieties. IGT wines are classified by the region of origin but do not have to adhere to the grape variety restrictions mandated by DOCG and DOC controls. This freedom gives the wine producer to use any grape varieties in any combination. Just as mongrel dogs can be as pleasing as a purebred, these IGT wines can be superb. The most celebrated “Super Tuscan” wines of Italy are all IGT wines. We started with a half hectare parcel (1.2 acres) of DOCG, Chianti zone. However, instead of planting primarily Sangiovese, we decided to produce an IGT blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot. The vineyard expansion, now 9 hectares total (22 acres) also includes Syrah, Petit Verdot and Canaiolo, an old Tuscan variety. We have also acquired several 40-year-old neighboring vineyards to add more complexity to our wines. White grapes were planted to be used for Vin Santo, the famous Tuscan dessert wine.

In cooperation with our enologist, we decided to employ more scientific techniques rather than the old Tuscan methods. A careful analysis of sugar content, acidity and pH are used to select the best time for harvest.  The grapes are “coaxed” off the stems to permit whole-berry fermentation. We use temperature control and a “cold soak” for the first 48 hours to extract more color and flavor before the fermentation begins. Following the completion of malolactic fermentation, some wines are aged in medium-toast French barrels or large Slavonian oak botte for 12 to 24 months.

Watch for our rosè and white wines coming in early 2018.

BULI "Canaiolo" 2016 is made from 100% Canaiolo Nero, an ancient Tuscan grape variety, a distant cousin of Sangiovese. The name Canaiolo may derive from the Latin "dies caniculares", referring to the dog days of August when the grape changes color (D'Agata, "Native Wine Grapes of Italy" 2014). This wine is produced from a 40-year old vineyard. It is fermented in stainless steel botte after an initial cold soak. Unlike our other red wines, it does not get aged in oak, producing a lighter, aromatic wine with a medium body. It is an approachable, easy-to-drink wine with complex fruit and floral notes.

BULI "Estate 44" 2015 is made from 80% Sangiovese (the major grape varietal of Tuscany) and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon/ Syrah. After an initial cold soak to extract maximum color and flavor, the wine was fermented in stainless steel botte and aged for 12 months in a combination of Slavonian oak 1000 Lt botte and French oak barrels. The wine has an intense ruby color and abundant fruit flavors. Bracing acidity makes the wine a perfect accompaniment to meals, especially meats and cheeses. The taste is balanced with a long finish.

BULI "Gran Vintage" 2014, as the name would suggest is a big wine, reminiscent of "Bordeaux style" wines. This Super Tuscan blend is Syrah 48%, Cabernet 30%, Sangiovese 15% and Merlot 7%. The color is a deep indigo and the taste has firm tannins with vanilla notes. The abundant acidity also makes this wine the perfect accompaniment to meals.

Where to buy:

Varmax Liquor Pantry, 16 Putnam Avenue, Port Chester, NY 10573  www.Varmax.com

Diplomat Wines, 933 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10021  www.DiplomatWines.com

Ehrlich Wines, 222 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023