Black cherry, crushed stone and citrus fruit on the nose. Aromatic and pleasing. Medium-bodied with vivid fruit and a fresh finish. Very typical Chianti Rufina with subtle, clean fruit and bright acidity.
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During the 17th and 18th centuries, England and France were frequently at war with each other, which among other things meant that England was periodically cut off from its usual sources of wine across the Channel. Looking farther afield, they found substitutes for their French clarets in far-away Tuscany. The market for Chianti and other Tuscan wines grew and brought in significant revenue, to the point that Grand Duke Cosimo III de’ Medici, ruler of Tuscany for more than 50 years beginning in 1670, realized that this market sector needed some regulation to protect its value. Therefore, in 1716, he issued a bando (decree) that defined exactly which parts of his realm were suitable for the production of its most renowned wines. Among the four areas that Cosimo elaborated was a zone called Pomino.
Pomino is the name of a current wine denomination, but the Pomino region defined by Cosimo III was much larger—essentially the same as the Rùfina subzone of the Chianti DOCG today. Thus, Chianti Rùfina was one of the areas (along with Chianti Classico, Carmignano, and Val d’Arno di Sopra) defined in the world’s earliest-known denomination protection law. It celebrated the bando’s 300th anniversary in 2016.
Selvapiana is among the best-known and most respected of the two dozen growers in Rùfina—the smallest subzone of Chianti—and as it happens is also one of only two wineries to produce wine from the tiny Pomino DOC. The Selvapiana winery, like all of Chianti Rùfina, lies close to the Sieve River, a tributary of the Arno upriver from Florence. The air is cooler and cleaner here than in the city, which is why these hills have long been a retreat for aristocrats escaping Florence’s summer heat. During the Renaissance, one noble Florentine family constructed the Selvapiana residence by enlarging a medieval watchtower that was one of the outposts guarding Florence from invading enemies.
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SELVAPIANA “FORNACE” TOSCANA IGT
Fornace is Selvapiana’s Super Tuscan wine, based entirely on Bordeaux grape varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc—grown on the estate. |
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LOCATIONWINERY: Rùfina (suburb of Florence), Tuscany VINEYARD: Rùfina subzone of Chianti, Tuscany VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
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93
AUGUST 2021
Selvapiana Chianti Rufina DOCG 2019
Black cherry, crushed stone and citrus fruit on the nose. Aromatic and pleasing. Medium-bodied with vivid fruit and a fresh finish. Very typical Chianti Rufina with subtle, clean fruit and bright acidity. 94
AUGUST 2021
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2018
A very pure and beautiful red with cherry and strawberry. Subtle spice, such as nutmeg and cedar. Orange peel, too. Medium to full body. Firm, silky tannins melt nicely into the wine. Fresh and clean finish. A little tight at the end. A beautiful single-vineyard Chianti Rufina with structure. Drinkable now, but better after 2023, when it will have softened a little. 96
JULY 2019
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2016
The pure sangiovese character is so impressive and enticing; this frames bark, dried rosemary, rose petals, cedar, burnt orange peel, truffles and earth. The tannins are so firm and serious, while the forthright acidity is the perfect combination. Layers of taut but plush red fruit and continual, savory and umami undertones. Superb. Drink from 2024. 93
OCTOBER 2023
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2019
A racy red, with high-pitched aromas of tart cherry and rose hip signaling the bracing acidity. Intense, picking up wild herbs, mineral, leather and a smoky note on the palate. Shows excellent balance and length. Best from 2025 through 2042. 91
AUGUST 2023
Selvapiana Chianti Rufina DOCG 2021
Best Buy. Cherries, strawberries and a hint of raspberries are on the nose, with some wild fennel and topsoil bringing in herbaceous, earthy notes. More cherries and berries are on the palate, with a mineral salinity and chalky tannins that emphasize the flavor and texture of freshly turned soil drawn from the nose. 95
AUGUST 2021
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2017
Very intense blackberries and spice with some earth and violets. Really complex. Full-bodied with layers of ripe tannins, yet they are firm and formed. Shows how well this cool area does in a hot vintage. Attractive now, but needs time to open. Try after 2023. 93
DECEMBER 2020
Selvapiana “Villa Petrognano” Pomino DOC 2017
The sweet, smoky aroma of burning vine cuttings introduces this enticing red. Black cherry and black currant flavors are framed by cedar, pencil shavings, tar and tobacco. It firms up in the end, with beefy tannins and a lingering savory finish. Sangiovese. Best from 2022 through 2035 93
DECEMBER 2023
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2019
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