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
SEPTEMBER 2020
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2016
![]() The 2016 Chianti Rufina Vigneto Bucerchiale is a dark, brooding wine. Swaths of tannin make a first impression. Gradually, black cherry, plum, lavender, cloves, leather and menthol start to emerge. This potent, massively tannic Chianti Rufina is going to need a number of years to come around. There is plenty of depth, but the elements are totally put together. The 2016 finishes with tremendous substance and gravitas. I expect the 2016 will always remain a brute. 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
APRIL 2024
Selvapiana "Vigneto Erchi" Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva 2019
![]() In the bottle with the bluish-green label, the 2019 Chianti Rufina Riserva Vigneto Erchi shows great balance and displays the quality found across these enjoyable wines from Selvapiana. The bouquet interjects with dark cherry, iris, earth and blood orange. The wine is firm and quite concentrated in terms of mouthfeel; however, it feels bright and lifted all the while. 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. 92
APRIL 2021
Selvapiana "Vigneto Erchi" Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva 2016
![]() In 1998, the Giuntini family purchased a new property in the Chianti Rufina wine region. In 1999 they planted six hectares (14.8 acres) of Sangiovese cuttings from grapevines selected from their Bucerchiale vineyard, as well as other indigenous vines and olive trees. The vineyard, like all Selvapiana vineyards, is farmed organically. The wine is made solely from Sangiovese, fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged in French oak barriques for 18 months and spends one year in bottle before release. It is an impressive wine with aromas of red cherries, dried woody herbs, blood orange and a touch of vanilla that pave the way for vivid flavors of red cherries, red currant, with notes of pipe tobacco and a whiff of dried mushroom. The ripeness of the fruit is balanced with zesty acidity and dusty tannins. 92
APRIL 2024
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2020
![]() In the bottle with the white label, the Selvapiana 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva Vigneto Bucerchiale is nicely balanced with lots of fresh fruit, tart cherry, candied watermelon and crushed rose. The effect is pretty and balanced in this 100% Sangiovese. This is one of the nicest expressions to be found from Chianti Rufina in this vintage. The tannins are dry and powdery over a mid-weight mouthfeel. 96
FEBRUARY 2021
Selvapiana “Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2016
![]() Loaded with personality, this opens with aromas of forest floor, new leather, camphor and ripe black-skinned fruit. The palate boasts an earthy elegance reminiscent of top Burgundies, showcasing ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, truffle, star anise and a hint of salted game. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide support while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2022–2036. |