Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva – Love At First Sniff

I’m crazy for Chianti! Reviewing a recent vintage of a favorite wine available at Costco.

The Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva is 90% Sangiovese and 10% other varieties (Malvasia Nera, Colorino, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) from Chianti Rufina, Tuscany, Italy. The wine spends 24 months in barriques and 3 months in bottle before release.

The Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva has an SRP of $24 and is available at Costco for just $15.99. No Costco in your area? Check your local retailers for this wine. Imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

Nipozzano, a timeless corner of Tuscany: a place where the Frescobaldis, for over a century, have produced an exceptionally aromatic wine of superb longevity; a faithful expression of the unique soils of this singular estate.

13.0% Alcohol

Quite simply, I’m crazy for Chianti. The tart cherry flavors, the excellent acidity and the rough edge all combine to make a wine with a lot of character, something that seems to be lacking in many mass produced wines today. There’s definitely something to be said for being distinctive in a wine world where too many producers strive to produce the same French oak-ed, high alcohol, fruit bombs.

We’ve recommended today’s Chianti several times in the past and one reason for that is quite simply the region — Chianti Rufina is the smallest subzone of the larger Chianti DOCG, but it may also be the most recognized. The other Chianti subzones are Chianti Colli Aretini, Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Chianti Colli Senesi, Chianti Colline Pisane, Chianti Montalbano and Chianti Montespertoli, most of which you’ve probably never heard of (but should probably explore as well!)

All wines in the Chianti DOCG must contain at least 70% Sangiovese but thanks to the unique combination of climate, soils and altitude in the Rufina area, these wines really stand apart. Today’s bottle is a great example.

The 2013 Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva begins with aromas of red fruit plus hints of black olive, leather, wild herbs, menthol and a touch of smoked meat. The wine tastes of tart red berry and even a bit of apple infused with lots of wild herbs and a little black pepper. The medium-bodied wine has a smooth and silky texture but still retains some of the signature rough edge of a good Chianti. Sweet and chewy tannins leads into the very long finish which also features lingering touches of wild herbs, tobacco and black tea. With a good, fresh acidity this also makes a great food wine for all kinds of tasty Italian dishes.

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No Costco in your area? Check your local retailers for this wine.