Selvapiana Chianti Rufina 2022

It's embarrassing to admit how much of this wine we keep for personal consumption. We hate the idea of desert island wine, but if there is one bottle we could happily drink for eternity, we'd be hard pushed to think of a better answer than this one. This wine is so elegant and charming, as is the Selvapiana style. The nose is full of lifted, fresh red fruits, floral hints and has a subtle earthy spice character. The palate is ripe and juicy, but feels taught and fresh thanks to Sangiovese (and Rufina) acidity, and fine, dusty tannins. The finish is refreshing and floral and is drinking very well in its young age. Wonderful with food.

The Rufina zone is the smallest in Chianti (about 600 hectares of vineyard) but also one of the most special. The cool breeze that blows down the Sieve Valley gives the best wines a finesse and definition that few in Chianti Classico can match, and there is no better producer in Rufina than Selvapiana, which has been in the family of Francesco Giuntini since 1827.

Federico Giuntini Masseti now runs the property, which is situated just north of the town of Pontassieve. The estate covers 250 hectares, 60 of which are planted under vine (95% being Sangiovese), 36 are olive groves, and the rest is covered by woods. For the most part, the vineyards face west, though Selvapiana’s prized Bucerchiale vineyard is south-west facing.