Fattoria Selvapiana, Chianti Rufina DOCG (Tuscany, Italy) 2018

Vigneto Bucerchiale is the name of the vineyard where the grapes were grown in the Chianti Rufina appellation, the smallest of the seven subzones of the Chianti DOCG.  It is located at the foot of the Appenine mountains where vineyards are grown at elevations as high as 1600 feet, which means cooler temperatures than at lower elevations.  The growing season is longer, and temperatures can be much cooler at night resulting in conditions that can provide more time for grapes to ripen while retaining acidity for balance.  The owner, Francesco Giuntini Antinori, considers this single variety Sangiovese their flagship wine made only in the best vintages.  It is an elegant wine with pure, focused, ripe fruit with light ruby red cherry, strawberry aromas and flavors laced with notes of dried, woody herbs.  The integration of fruit, crisp acidity and fine grained tannins is seamless.  It offers great value for its price.