Selvapiana Is the Reason Why Chianti Rufina Should Not Be Overlooked

Whenever one thinks of quality and Chianti the mind tends to take you to those of Chianti Classico.   Within the Chianti DOCG there are sub-zones that should not be overlooked and can compete with the best of them.  Fattoria Selvapiana is one of those wineries, long established within the Rufina sub-zone that we’re going to explore. 

The Winery ~ Fattoria Selvapiana 

Fattoria Selvapiana has been within the Giuntini family since 1827.  The property was initially used as a tower to protect Florence from invasion.  Later it became a villa for noble families and bishops.  Today the winery is operated by the 5th generation of the Giuntini family.  Interesting back story on the owner, Francesco Giuntini’s children who today are involved in operating the winery.  Francesco’s estate manager, Franco Masseti, who worked with him for years passed away in the early 90’s. Franco’s children grew up in that life and know the vineyards and the area well.  Francesco not having any children of his own to pass down the winery too adoped Franco’s children.  The reputable enologist, Franco Bernabei, has been consulting for Selvapiana since 1978.   

Selvapiana occupies a large estate with over 500 acres with almost 150 dedicated to vineyards.  The winery is also certified organic.  Francesco is said to have been one of the first to produce riserva wines made out of purely sangiovese.   

Copyright of Selvapiana

The Land ~ Chianti Rufina 

Although the Rufina sub-zone is the smallest out of all the other sub-zones of the Chianti DOCG producing about 4% of the overall production, it produces some of the highest quality.  Sangiovese here is usually marked with a bright acidity. The vineyards are some of the highest with a cool climate due to its proximity to the Apennines with diurnal swings in temperature.  

The Wines 

2016 Selvapiana Chianti Rufina DOCG – Made with 95% sangiovese with a small amount of canaiolo, colorino and malvasia nera added. Aged 4 months in French oak casks.  A solid chianti selection.  Medium bodied with juicy cherries, bright acidity and a beautiful elegance. A great price point to get a taste for the quality of Rufina.  SRP $19 

2014 Selvapiana Pomino Rosso DOC Villa di Petrognano – Quite a different wine compared to the others shared due to the blend with 20% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot with the rest sangiovese.  Francesco has a close relationship with the owner of Villa Petrognano and sources his grapes from Cecilia Galeotti’s 13 acre estate.  The Pomino DOC is of the 4 delimited areas created to protect the appellation back in 1716  by Grand Duke Cosimo de’ Medici III.  The sangiovese is aged in French oak casks for 29 months where the merlot and cabernet spend time in French oak barriques.   A rather dry, complex wine with many layers showing leather, dried berries backed with good acidity and tannin.  SRP $21 

2015 Selvapiana Vigneto Bucerchiale Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva – This single vineyard, Bucerchiale, wine has been produced since back in 1979 and is a classic example of how Chianti Rufina shines and the quality coming out of this area.  It is considered Selvapiana’s flagship wine and is only produced in the best vintages.  The wine is named after the farm, podere, during the mezzadria.  Aged 32 months in french oak.  A structured wine showing firm tannin, good acidity combined with an earthiness, hints of tobacco and cherry.  Nice finesse with a lengthy finish.  I was overly pleased to enjoy this wine for my birthday last October with a long simmered ragu.  Delizioso!  SRP $36 

 
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Importer: Della Terra 

*These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are my own.