So much crushed-stone character here with citrus and black-cherry aromas. Medium-bodied with iodine and oyster-shell undertones to the blue fruit. Lemon rind at the end. Drink or hold.
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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
JUNE 2022
Selvapiana Chianti Rufina DOCG 2020
So much crushed-stone character here with citrus and black-cherry aromas. Medium-bodied with iodine and oyster-shell undertones to the blue fruit. Lemon rind at the end. Drink or hold. 93
SEPTEMBER 2023
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2020
Savory and complex nose with a meaty, earthy undertone to the orange rind, iron, baking spices, leather and ripe plums. Juicy and firm on the palate with a medium to full body and abundant, mealy tannins. Long and caressing finish. Drink or hold. 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
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. 92
SEPTEMBER 2020
Selvapiana Chianti Rufina DOCG 2018
Selvapiana's 2018 Chianti Rufina is exquisitely beautiful. A wine of translucence and character, the 2018 captures the essence of the vintage in spades. Dark cherry, blood orange, cinnamon, rose petal and mint are all laced together in the glass. The 2018 is effortless and silky, with striking aromatic presence and exceptional balance. This is so impressive. 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. 92
SEPTEMBER 2023
Selvapiana “Villa Petrognano” Pomino DOC 2020
Peppercorns, briar, dark spices and black cherries on the nose. Juicy and pretty vertical on the palate with a medium body and firm, fresh tannins. Medium-long finish. Drink now. 92
MAY 2023
Selvapiana "Vigneto Erchi" Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva 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. |