Selvapiana Chianti Rufina 2006

"Readers looking for a delicious traditionally-made Chianti that won’t break the bank should run, not walk, to pick up Selvapiana’s 2006 Chianti Rufina. This is a pure-bred Chianti of notable finesse with exceptional complexity and nuance in its black cherries, leather, licorice, tar, mint and spices. Medium in body, it possesses outstanding length in an understated style. While I would typically choose to drink Chianti fairly young, this appears to be a wine that can develop even more complexity and nuance. Finding quality budget-level wines is challenging and uncovering wines that also have character is doubly difficult. This wine has it all. The 2006 Chianti Rufina is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo. It was aged 50% in cask, 30% in steel and 20% in French oak, for roughly ten months prior to bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016."
-Wine Advocate

This is a big and juicy Chianti Rufina, offering delicious strawberry and cherry aromas followed by subtle notes of spice box, leather, earth and mushrooms. Dense, smooth and medium-bodied, with great concentration and fine tannins. Easy-going and supple, this is great food wine: ideal for rich pastas, creamy soups, barbecued meats and cheeses.

A classic blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo, two native varietals of the Chianti district. After blending, the wine is refined in French oak casks for 10 months, followed by an additional 3 months in bottle before release.