Oz Clarke's Wine Guide 2010:  "Smallest of the Chianti sub-zones, Rufina is an enclave of the Apennine foothills to the east of Florence, where wines were noted for exceptional structure and longevity long before they joined the ranks of Chianti.  Today the wines match the best of Chianti Classico." 2010

Winery: "Chianti Rufina Riserva is bottled after two years of aging in wooden barrels and then aged in the bottle for at least three months.  Color - ruby red tending towards garnet with aging.  Bouquet - intensely winey acquiring a touch of the ethereal.   Finish -  a dry, slightly tannic taste that refines with time."

Wired For Wine:  In 1716 the grand duke Cosimo III de'Medici drew the boundaries of this, one of the finest of four wine producing areas in Tuscany, because "only the high hills of Rùfina yield a long-lived, full-bodied and aristocratic wine".   This Villa di Vetrice Chianti Rufina Riserva speaks to that heritage with its elegant, smooth and moderately earthy palate.  Open your first bottle and enjoy it with a twist on the bruschetta theme: Peperoni Arrostiti Con Acciughe, or roast peppers with anchovies on crusty artisanal toasts.  Just delicious.  Pastas with tomato and/or meat sauces are perfect for the medium body of this Tuscan ruby red.  We suggest spaghetti with briased chicken, dried favas, dill and tomato.  If you prefer something a little heartier, a simply grilled veal rib chop with porcini risotto on the side will absolutely seduce you with its ability to bring out the earthy side of this Chianti Rufina Riserva, while also connecting with its lovely tannins on the finish.  If easy is on the menu, you can't miss with a regular and hot Italian sausage pizza; five generations of the Grati family certainly know how to orchestrate that pairing!  To bring your evening to a close, we say let the silky side of this smooth Villa di Vetrice bring out the tang of an aged Fontina cheese.  Brace voi stessi, winelovers! Sta andando essere grande!

Size:  750ml
Varietal:  90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino
Alcohol:  12.5%
Ageing:    24 months in barrels, 3 months in bottle
Region:    Rufina, Tuscany, Italy