Discover our list with photos, descriptions, and tasting notes of the best Chianti Rùfina wines, recommended by Jean Marco Palmieri.
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Best Chianti Rufina recommended by Jean Marco Palmieri
Chianti Rùfina Riserva Vigneto Erchi 2018 – Selvapiana
Selvapiana’s Vigneto Erchi 2018 presents itself as a Chianti Rùfina of remarkable elegance and complexity. On the nose, it reveals aromas of ripe red fruits such as cherry and redcurrant, alongside floral nuances and a delicate spicy touch. On the palate, the structure is solid, with well-integrated tannins and a vibrant freshness that brings balance and a long finish.
Technical Notes
The Erchi vineyard, located in the municipality of Pontassieve, was planted in 1999 using massal selections of Sangiovese from the Bucerchiale vineyard. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo spontaneous fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with a maceration period of 35 days. The wine is aged in French oak casks for 18 months. The 2018 vintage saw a production of approximately 3,200 bottles.
The Estate
Selvapiana is a historic winery located in the heart of Chianti Rùfina, known for its winemaking tradition and the use of organic and sustainable methods. The management of the property is now entrusted to Federico Giuntini Masseti, his son Niccolò, and his sister Silvia, who continue the legacy of a work that has lasted for generations.
Montesodi 2018 – Castello di Nipozzano
Montesodi 2018 – Castello di Nipozzano
The Montesodi 2018 from Castello di Nipozzano stands out for its bright ruby-red color. On the nose, it offers a wide range of aromas including red fruits, strawberry tree fruit, and redcurrant, along with hints of bergamot and candied orange. On the palate, the wine is fresh, complex, and well balanced, with tannins that blend harmoniously with the wine’s body.
Technical Notes
The Montesodi vineyard, located in the heart of Chianti Rùfina, features soils rich in galestro and alberese, ideal for growing Sangiovese. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by 18 months of aging in 30-hl French oak casks.
The Estate
Castello di Nipozzano is a historic winery in the Rùfina area, owned for centuries by the Frescobaldi family, who have played a key role in bringing recognition to the Chianti Rùfina denomination. Today, the estate is run by Lamberto Frescobaldi, who continues to innovate while preserving the family’s winemaking heritage.
Chianti Rùfina Riserva Vigna Casanova 2018 – Fattoria Lavacchio
The Vigna Casanova 2018 by Fattoria Lavacchio is a clear expression of Sangiovese’s character in Rùfina. On the nose, it features intense aromas of ripe cherry, violet, and sweet spices. On the palate, the wine is characterized by a harmonious structure, soft tannins, and a freshness that enhances its drinkability.
Technical Notes
The Casanova vineyard, planted in 1963, is located on a south-facing hill and benefits from a favorable microclimate due to constant ventilation. The grapes, hand-harvested at the end of September, are gently destemmed and fermented in stainless steel for about 25 days. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 18 months, with an additional 6 months in bottle.
The Estate
Fattoria Lavacchio is a winery with ancient roots, located in the heart of Chianti Rùfina. It is managed by a family that promotes respect for the land through sustainable agricultural practices.
Chianti Rufina Poggio Diamante 2018 – Marchesi Gondi
The Poggio Diamante 2018 by Marchesi Gondi displays a deep, brilliant ruby red color with slight garnet reflections. On the nose, it reveals aromas of ripe red fruits, accompanied by spicy notes and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is structured and elegant, with well-integrated tannins and a long, persistent finish.
Technical Notes
Fermentation takes place in 50-hL stainless steel vats at controlled temperature. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 18 months in 20-hL Austrian oak casks, followed by 6 months in second-use barriques and an additional 6 months of bottle aging.
The Estate
The Marchesi Gondi are a family of ancient tradition who manage the Castello di Volognano and other properties in Chianti Rùfina. The winery is led by Marchese Bernardo Gondi and his sister Donatella, who, together with their children, continue the philosophy of sustainability and quality in wine production.
Chianti Rufina Vigna Colonneto 2018 – Travignoli
The Vigna Colonneto 2018 by Travignoli showcases the best of Sangiovese, with aromas of cherry, violet, and sweet spices. On the palate, the wine is balanced, with soft tannins and an acidity that highlights its freshness and aging potential.
Technical Notes
The Colonneto vineyard is located on clay soils with a southwest exposure. Vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks, followed by 18 months of aging in oak barrels and an additional 6 months in bottle.
The Estate
Travignoli is a winery with a winemaking tradition dating back to the 1700s. Today, the estate is run by Giovanni Busi who continues to produce high-quality wines with dedication and passion, while honoring the strong connection to their land and its traditions.
Chianti Rùfina DOCG Riserva Vigneto Le Rogaie 2021 – Colognole
The Vigneto Le Rogaie 2021 by Colognole expresses itself with great precision, offering a range of aromas on the nose that range from red fruits to aromatic herbs, with a slight balsamic hint. On the palate, the wine is balanced, with soft tannins and a good acidity that ensures freshness and aging potential.
Technical Notes
The Le Rogaie vineyard is located on a south-west facing hill in a particularly favorable climatic area. Vinification takes place in stainless steel, followed by 18 months of aging in oak barrels and an additional 6 months in bottle.
The Estate
Colognole is a winery managed by the Spalletti family, known for its organic and environmentally friendly approach. The estate produces wines that reflect the typicality of Rùfina, blending tradition and innovation.
Chianti Rufina Vigneto Lastricato 2020 – Castello del Trebbio
The Vigneto Lastricato 2020 by Castello del Trebbio blends tradition and innovation, presenting aromas of forest fruits, spices, and a slight hint of tobacco. On the palate, the structure is firm, with well-integrated tannins and a freshness that enhances its drinkability.
Technical Notes
The Lastricato vineyard is located on clay soils with a southeast exposure. Vinification takes place in stainless steel, followed by aging in oak barrels for 18 months and 6 months in bottle.
The Estate
Since 1995, Anna Baj Macario and Stefano Casadei have been leading Castello del Trebbio with a sustainable project based on Biointegrale® practices: biodynamic farming, renewable energy, and architectural restoration in harmony with the landscape.
Chianti Rufina Poggio Gualtieri 2018 – Fattoria di Grignano
The Poggio Gualtieri 2018 by Fattoria di Grignano presents an intense ruby red color. On the nose, it offers notes of raspberry, red currant, and cherry, with hints of vanilla and spices from oak aging. On the palate, the wine is structured and elegant, with soft tannins and a long, harmonious finish.
Technical Notes
The grapes come from 2 hectares of the Poggio Gualtieri vineyard, located in Pontassieve, with a southeast exposure and organic certification. Vinification takes place in stainless steel, followed by aging in oak barrels for 18 months and an additional 6 months in bottle.
The Estate
In the heart of Chianti Rùfina, Fattoria di Grignano produces DOCG wine and IGP extra virgin olive oil, both certified organic and true expressions of the territory. Once owned by Caterina de’ Medici and later gifted to the Gondi family, the estate now spans 600 hectares with 47 farmsteads, dedicated to vine and olive cultivation.
Chianti Rufina Vigna alle Stelle 2018 – Frascole
The Vigna alle Stelle 2018 by Frascole stands out for its intensity and complexity. On the nose, floral aromas of violet and rose are perceived, along with notes of red fruits and hints of toasting and spices. On the palate, the wine is elegant, with silky tannins and a freshness that enhances its drinkability.
Technical Notes
The Vigna alle Stelle vineyard is located on hilly terrain with good exposure, characterized by soils rich in gravel. Vinification takes place in stainless steel, followed by aging in oak barrels for 18 months and an additional 6 months in bottle.
The Estate
Frascole is a historic organic farm run by Enrico Lippi and Elisa Santoni, located in the hills of Dicomano at around 400 meters above sea level. Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and woodland, the estate produces Chianti Rùfina DOCG wines, IGT reds and whites, Vinsanto, and extra virgin olive oil. Rich in Etruscan and Roman heritage, Frascole combines tradition, sustainability, and a deep respect for the land.
Chianti Rufina Quona 2018 – I Veroni
The Quona 2018 by Fattoria I Veroni presents a brilliant ruby red color. On the nose, it offers aromas of cherry and dried rose, with a touch of sweet spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with well-balanced tannins and a pleasant acidity that leads to a long and harmonious finish.
Technical Notes
The Quona vineyard is located on hilly terrain with favorable exposure, characterized by clay and limestone soils. The vinification process includes fermentation in stainless steel, followed by aging in oak barrels for 18 months and an additional 6 months in bottle.
The Estate
I Veroni is a certified organic winery located in the heart of Chianti Rùfina, in the municipality of Pontassieve, just 10 km from Florence. Today, it is managed by Lorenzo Mariani, the fourth generation of his family to run the estate since his maternal great-grandfather purchased the property in 1897, when it was still dedicated to traditional mixed farming.
MUSICA – Chianti Rùfina Riserva 2020 – Borgo Macereto
The MUSICA 2020 by Borgo Macereto is a Chianti Rùfina Riserva that combines power and freshness. On the nose, it presents a rich bouquet of red fruits, violet, blackberry, with more complex notes of coffee and leather. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with elegant tannins and remarkable persistence.
Technical Notes
The Sangiovese grapes are cultivated on clay soils with a particular exposure to the sun. The fermentation takes place in small stainless steel tanks, and the aging lasts 18 months in French oak barrels of 225 liters.
The Estate
Borgo Macereto is a young agricultural estate in Chianti Rùfina, founded in 2014 when the Foscarini family took over. From the very beginning, the goal was clear: to produce high-quality organic wines with low yields and great attention to the terroir. Alongside Sangiovese, the symbol of the denomination, there is room for international varieties.
Chianti Rufina Riserva 2018 – Podere Il Balzo
The Chianti Rufina Riserva 2018 by Podere Il Balzo presents an intense ruby red color. On the nose, ripe red fruit notes emerge, such as cherry and currant, accompanied by a hint of spices. On the palate, the wine is structured, with soft tannins and a good freshness that balances its power. The finish is long and clean.
Technical Notes
The Sangiovese grapes come from clay and limestone soils. After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine ages for 18 months in oak barrels and a further period in bottle.
The Estate
Podere Il Balzo is a family-run organic estate located in the Chianti Rufina area. With a philosophy focused on quality and respect for the land, the estate is led by Paolo Ponticelli and stands out for its traditional approach to viticulture.
Chianti Rufina
Chianti Rùfina: A Prestigious and Traditional Subzone of Chianti
Chianti Rùfina is one of the most elevated and distinctive subzones of Chianti, located northeast of Florence, and represents one of the most prestigious and traditional wine regions in Tuscany. With altitudes reaching up to 700 meters above sea level, this area enjoys a cool climate, characterized by significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, allowing the vines to develop a distinctive aromatic profile and notable freshness. The soils, rich in galestro, clay, and mineral sands, further contribute to imparting elegance, finesse, and marked acidity to the wines, characteristics that make Chianti Rùfina wines particularly well-suited for aging.
A Small but High-Quality Area
Although it is the smallest of the Chianti subzones, with about 750 hectares of vineyards dedicated to the DOCG, Chianti Rùfina stands out for the high quality of its production. The denomination involves 22 producers, who annually release an average of 3,500,000 bottles, demonstrating a successful balance between limited size and qualitative vocation.
Historical Significance
From a historical perspective, Chianti Rùfina is mentioned in the 1716 Decree of Cosimo III de’ Medici, when the area was officially recognized as one of the regions producing high-quality wine. This decree, which established the first official boundaries of the wine regions in Tuscany, marks the beginning of a formal recognition of Chianti Rùfina’s quality, which was already appreciated by the nobility and aristocratic courts at the time.
Best Chianti Rufina Vintages
Discover the best vintages of Chianti Rufina from 1995 to today with a star rating. For further details, check out the article dedicated to the best vintages of Chianti Rufina, where you’ll find a detailed analysis of the climatic trends.
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2005✭✭✭/1/2
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2007✭✭✭✭+
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2010✭✭✭✭+
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2012✭✭✭✭1/2
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2016✭✭✭✭✭+
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What are the best Chianti Rufina wines?
What are the best Chianti Rufina wines? Choosing is a tough task, inevitably subject to the limits of a subjective opinion, which, by definition, is deficient and arbitrary.
We have simply compiled a list of our preferred interpretations based on our evaluations. However, it is crucial to emphasize that wine does not exist as a status symbol to be flaunted or displayed publicly.
Rather, it is meant to move us and be genuinely shared with the people we love, linking to specific situations and the irreplaceable, intimate moments of our lives.
Therefore, we invite you to visit the producers who create wines in their uniqueness, so that you can discover and choose independently the wine that might be considered one of your personal favorites. If you’ve had the patience to read this far, thank you for your attention, but now it’s time to fill the glasses and let go of distant hopes. So:
Cheers, Salute, Santé
Jean Marco Palmieri
