Description
The Rufina zone is the smallest in Chianti (about 600 hectares of vineyard) but also one of the most special. The cool breeze that blows down the Sieve Valley gives the best wines a finesse and definition that few in Chianti Classico can match, and there is no better producer in Rufina than Selvapiana, which has been in the family of Francesco Giuntini since 1827.
Federico Giuntini Masseti now runs the property, which is situated just north of the town of Pontassieve. The estate covers 250 hectares, 60 of which are planted under vine (95% being Sangiovese), 36 are olive groves, and the rest is covered by woods. For the most part, the vineyards face west, though Selvapiana’s prized Bucerchiale vineyard is south-west facing.
The Chianti Rufina is fine and elegant in the Selvapiana style. Federico considers the ‘Vigneto Bucerchiale’ to be a more weighty and powerful Rufina, but it still displays the vibrancy of fruit that characterises the Selvapiana wines.
This wine shows tremendous depth of colour and great intensity on the nose. The palate is powerful and fruit packed with ripe raspberry and spicy cherry fruit supported by a touch of herbs and violets, soft silky tannins and a long, fine finish which is the hallmark of the Selvapiana wines.