| There are certain things that get us wine geeks very excited. |
| Small production wines made by people with real faces, unusual grape varieties from far flung places, little bottles of artisanal dessert wines, rosé Champagne, wine and food pairings which challenge both the mind and the palate, and magnums of fine wine. |
Today we have an unusual offering – a magnum of “mysteriously allusive” and “drop dead gorgeous” Chianti which is “a consistent overachiever within its price range.” |
| Nice! |
| Not content to offer any run-of-the-mill Chianti, we spent days searching for a proper magnum. Not too expensive, yet worthy of this larger and more age-worthy format. As any wine collector will tell you, the larger the size of the bottle the better the vessel for aging (less ratio of air to wine is ideal for storage). |
| With the magnum format in mind, we needed to find a wine capable of improving with age, yet easily drinkable now (our patience is, after all, somewhat limited). To be honest, we initially undertook this endeavor for ourselves. Then we thought better of it. If we adored it, we knew you would too. |
| Somehow, one bottle of Chianti is just never enough when we have company. Plus a magnum of beautiful wine on the table makes a real splash. |
We found a serious gem in Chianti Rufina (pronounced roo-fee-na), the northeastern zone of Chianti, which was first identified as an area of superior production by Cosimo III de'Medici in 1716. Just 16 km east of Florence, Chianti Rufina remains an area of large, often aristocratic estates, vineyards, olive groves and forests on the slopes of the Appenine mountains. |
| Chianti Rufina is unique in that it has clung more closely to traditional ways than the more glamorous Chianti Classico region to the south. We're talking Old School. Traditional. Absolutely lovely. |
| Selvapiana Chianti Rufina 2009 Magnum |
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click for larger image |
| Selvapiana is a traditional Tuscan estate located in the Chianti Rufina zone with 181 years and five generations of history in classic Chianti Rufina winemaking. |
“Frescobaldi is the largest producer in the zone, while Selvapiana has historically been one of the best.” Jancis Robinson, MW, “The Oxford Companion to Wine” |
| According to Decanter Magazine, “Wines from Selvapiana remain resolutely traditional. The basic Chianti Rufina from Selvapiana makes a lovely glass of pure, true, refreshing yet mysteriously allusive red wine.” |
| This highly esteemed producer makes their Chianti Rufina with mostly Sangiovese and a small amount of Canaiolo. |
"The 2009 Chianti Rufina opens with a burst of red fruit. It is an intensely perfumed, seductive wine loaded with personality. Sweet, silky tannins frame the exquisite finish. This is another drop-dead gorgeous wine from Selvapiana. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2029. |
| Selvapiana is a reference point for fine, traditionally made Chiantis that can age beautifully. The Chianti Rufina is a consistent overachiever within its price range." (Wine Advocate) |
Wine Advocate: 89 points |
| “Cherry fruit with marzipan-textured tannins. Quite a lot of structure, but very persistent fruit too. Very serious for the category and with aging potential.” (JancisRobinson.com) |
17.5 out of 20 points |
| This delicious wine is $33.99/magnum (1.5 liter bottle) or $163.15/6 pack case ($27.19/magnum). |
| We also carry this brilliant wine in regular 750 ml bottles for $16.99/bottle or $163.15/12 pack case ($13.60/bottle) or just $13.60 in a mixed case of wine. |
| Time to have some friends over and open a magnum! |
| Ciao, |
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