Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Riserva – Serendipitous Sangiovese

90% Sangiovese with the remaining 10% a blend of Malvasia Nera, Colorino and Canaiolo from Tuscany, Italy.

Sample submitted for review. SRP of $30 and available for as low as $26 (Saturday Splurge).

From the bottle:

“This wine, historically dedicated to new births in the Frescobaldi Family, originates from the oldest vines of Castello di Nipozzano, endowed with deep root systems.

Of great complexity and harmony, this reserve wine is refined for 24 months in oak barrels according to ancient Tuscan tradition.

14.5% Alcohol”

This is a new wine from Frescobaldi, and as it turns out, one that was a bit of an accident (at least according to a Wine Spectator article here). The grapes for this wine come from a 50-acre plot of 40-year-old vines. These grapes are usually blended into the excellent Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva but when this plot was the last to be harvested in 2011 all of the stainless steel tanks were already full. As a result the winemakers decided to ferment this group of old vine grapes by itself in cement tanks. As the wine developed they liked the results so much that a new wine was born. After recently sampling a bottle ourselves, it’s easy to see why the Frescobaldi family was so excited about it.

The 2011 Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Riserva opens with a wonderful, strong aroma that sucks you right into the glass. Black cherry, spice, raspberry, roses, lavender, a little vanilla, menthol and more all greet your nose. In fact, it smells so good make sure you don’t forget to taste it! When you do you’ll find succulent sweet berry notes, lovely spice and licorice and assorted dried herbal notes that all combine to make a fabulously tasty wine. It ends long, dry and a bit chewy with lots of spicy mineral notes. Serendipity indeed!

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

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