Selvapiana Chianti Rufina 2017

One could argue the he gold standard for approachable Chianti, as refined and pure as it gets at the $20 price point. It’s not Chianti Classico (there’s no rooster on the foil), because this Rufina. The Rufina region is the smallest in all of Chianti, just 750 hectares, far smaller than the comparatively massive Classcio zone. Rufina is much higher in elevation too, located in the hills east of Florence, with tree lined slopes dotted with picturesque vineyards. Maritime breezes brought in by passes that are cut into the Apennines gradually cool the vineyards here, producing balanced sets of grapes, and wines that have incredible finesse. The historic Selvapiana estate has been producing some of the best wines in the region for centuries. Organic farming was and is the norm here, they didn’t need to “convert” it’s just the way it’s always been done. T

Fermented in stainless steel tanks, then aged in very large mostly used French oak casks for over a year. This wine sings! Showing rich upfront fruit.  Bright red cherry fruits, mixed with rose petals and violets on the nose. Silky and seamless on the palate, delicate red berried fruit flavours seem dance across the tongue.