Chianti Rufina 2007

Pretty blackberry and earth aromas and flavors in this medium-bodied red, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Selvapiana always delivers fresh and fruity Chiantis. Drink now.

Selvapianaandrsquo;s 2007 Chianti Rufina is delicate and floral in this vintage, with pretty notes of perfumed red fruits and spices that waft on the palate. The wine offers good balance even if the finish lacks the focus that defines the finest years. Still, this is an excellent choice for mid-term drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2009andndash;2017.

Intense ruby red in color, it offers suave flavors of cherry, red currants and violets, nicely integrated with elegant notes of tobacco, leather and wood. Hints of vanilla and cedar as well as faint spice from oak aging add dimension. Pure, full-bodied and fleshy, with a solid structure and superfine tannins. The balanced acidity, typical of the wines of Chianti, gives substantial consistency to the juicy texture.

Bright red. Intriguing aromas of herbs and sweet spices complement red cherry and plum. Sweet and creamy on entry, then turns a little austere in the middle. Finishes smooth and moderately long, with ripe, soft red fruit and tobacco flavors and a touch of heat.

The 1993 Chianti Rufina exhibits just how superior this Tuscan vintage is to 1991 and 1992. It displays a dark, garnet/plummy color, and a rich, sweet nose of jammy fruit, new saddle leather, and spicy wood. Dense, medium to full-bodied, with excellent concentration and fine overall balance, this is a forward, fleshy Chianti for drinking over the next 4ndash;5 years.

Considered the most ageworthy of Chiantis, the wine of Selvapiana is also notes for its youthful vibrancy. Perhaps this combination is due to its origin in the highest and coolest of the seven Chianti districts. Itrsquo;s quite dry (therersquo;s a nice dose of oak) but itrsquo;s loaded with characteristic dark cherry fruit. And with tannin and acid beautifully balanced, this bottle shows both fresh and elegant qualities.

A model of excellence in wine-making, this finely crafted Tuscan red exhibits a sweet nose of inviting cherries and spice that leads to remarkably concentrated fruit flavors. Itrsquo;s rare to find an estate bottled Chianti this good and this affordable.