2016 Sinopie Chianti DOCG

$16.30 btl / $195.60 cs (case of 12 x 750ml)

Rufina is a Tuscan town 30 kilometers northeast of Florence and is one of the smallest of the Chianti sub-zones. There are just 25 wineries in Rufina, and although produces much less than other regions in Tuscany such as Classico and Colli Senesi, it is a mighty force making some of Tuscany’s finest wines.

On offer this week is an excellent example of a fresh, young style of modern Chianti Rufina. The 2016 Sinopie Chianti DOCG is made with grapes sourced from younger plantings from Colognole’s vineyards. The 2016 vintage in Tuscany was another good one and produced wines with good colour and impressive fragrance. This wine has crisp red fruit and vibrant acidity and it is a genius for pairing with a variety of foods. It exhibits bright cherry and raspberry fruit aromas with a hint of dried herbs. The palate is light to medium bodied with fresh cherries and a salty black licorice finish.

The Colognole estate is run by two brothers, Mario and Cesare Coda Nunzinate, who have a passion for Chianti Rufina and have built a name for themselves in this small appellation. The vineyards of Colognole are composed of terroir very similar to that of premium-quality Chianti Classico, a mix of Galestro and Albarese, soils that retain less nutrients which is ideal for the vines to produce grapes with elegance, fine tannins and aromatic, fruity notes.

What these vineyards have over Chianti Classico is altitude, reaching as high as 400 meters above sea level on the lower slopes of the Apennines and the vines are naturally tilted towards the sun, just like sunbathers on a reclined beach chair. This helps the finicky Sangiovese grapes to ripen to perfection, which can be a difficult task. The change between day and night temperatures has a remarkable effect on the grapes helping preserve the aromatics and natural acids in the fruit, resulting in a blissful balance of sweet ripe fruit with high acidity rivaling the best wines from other Chianti appellations.

Price: Case of 12 at $195.60 ($16.30 per bottle)

Drink: Now or over the next 18 months

Blend/Body: Dry red, 93% Sangiovese, 7% Merlot, light-medium bodied

Service: Best served 14°C – 16°C

Food Pairing: Grilled beef or lamb, tomato based dishes, spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna and pizza

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