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. 97
OCTOBER 2021
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2017
![]() Fattoria Selvapiana is one of Rùfina's modest superstars, defined by its very low-key profile and red wines that combine generously free-flowing fruit and faultless terroir expression. The lovely light tang in every sip stems from a mix of clay-limestone that provides fatness and juiciness, while schist or galestro engenders underlying depth. Organic. 92
MAY 2023
Selvapiana "Vigneto Erchi" Chianti Rufina DOCG 2017
![]() Overflowing with black cherry, blackberry, plum, wild herbs and toasty oak flavors, this rich red is also harmonious and not all fruit and lush texture, showing some firm tannins underneath for support. Drink now through 2030. 300 cases made, 100 cases imported. 92
OCTOBER 2023
Selvapiana “Fornace” Toscana IGT 2017
![]() Dense and packed with plum, black cherry, leather, tobacco and spice flavors, this red is backed by a spine of stiff tannins. Offers sufficient fruit to match the structure, finding nice equilibrium in the end. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2040. 95
SEPTEMBER 2021
Selvapiana "Vigneto Erchi" Chianti Rufina DOCG 2017
![]() Wow. What glorious aromas of pure fruit with black cherries and currants. Really floral, too. Orange peel and tangerines. Full-bodied with really focused, polished tannins that coat your mouth, yet remain fine and beautiful. Goes on for minutes. Drinkable now, but much better in 2023 when it will have softened and come together. 93
JANUARY 2024
Selvapiana "Vigneto Erchi" Chianti Rufina DOCG 2017
![]() Tar, herbs and cracked pepper with dried fig and cranberry peeking through later on the nose reflect a palate that reiterates this luxurious blend, with heat emphasizing the tar notes and acidity lifting up the dried fruit. 93
MAY 2019
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2015
![]() The Selvapiana 2015 Chianti Rufina Riserva Vigneto Bucerchiale is a generous and exuberant expression of Sangiovese that remains everfaithful to its traditional and territory-driven roots. This wine speaks with a Tuscan tongue, giving voice to wild berry, earthy truffle and aromas of Mediterranean herb. The finish is softly fruity with subtle structure (which is firm and binding nonetheless) and fresh acidity. - Monica Larner ![]() JUNE 2022
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2018
![]() Chianti Rufina DOCG is the smallest of the seven subzones of the Chianti DOCG. It is located at the foot of the Apennines, the mountain range that is the backbone of Italy, where vineyards are grown at elevations as high as 1600 feet, which means cooler temperatures than at lower elevations. The growing season is longer, and temperatures can be much cooler at night resulting in conditions that can provide more time for those finicky grapes to ripen while retaining acidity for balance. The owner, Francesco Giuntini Antinori, considers this single variety Sangiovese their flagship wine made only in the best vintages. It is an elegant wine with pure, focused, ripe fruit with light ruby, red cherry, strawberry aromas and flavors laced with notes of dried, woody herbs. The integration of fruit, crisp acidity and fine grained tannins is seamless. It has an elegant personality. |