Ruffino Riserva Ducale Gold

Riserva Ducale Gold is a Sangiovese-led red from Ruffino, labeled for the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany and bottled at 13.5% alcohol by volume. The Riserva name usually means the wine got extra time in barrel and bottle before release, and Chianti Classico rules set a longer minimum maturation for Riserva than for the standard bottling. Expect more structure and depth than a basic Chianti. The signature Sangiovese fruit should still lead: tart red cherry, red plum and strawberry. Riservas in this style often add dried herbs, leather, tobacco or a little warm spice from oak. The body should sit in the medium to medium-full range, with firm but fine-grained tannins and the bright, mouthwatering acidity Sangiovese is known for. That acidity gives the wine its food-friendly grip, and it keeps the finish clean and savory. Oak should read as supporting spice rather than sweetness or vanilla. At the table, the acidity cuts through tomato, so it works well with ragù, lasagna, pizza and baked pasta in red sauce. The tannin also suits grilled sausages, roast pork or chicken with rosemary, braised beef, and a Tuscan-style bistecca. For cheese, choose aged pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano over anything soft and creamy. Cured salami and prosciutto work well as a lighter pairing. Serve it slightly cool, around 16 to 18°C (60 to 65°F). Twenty minutes in the refrigerator before opening is usually enough on a warm day. Pour into a large-bowled red wine glass with a tapered rim to concentrate the cherry and herb aromas. An hour in a decanter, or simply open in the glass, softens the tannins and brings out the fruit. This is especially helpful if you open it soon after buying. Riserva-level Chianti Classico is generally built to drink well on release and can also hold for several more years in a cool, dark place. The reference notes for this bottle suggest drinking Chianti young, and that is a safe approach if you prefer the fresh fruit. If you cellar it, expect the fruit to shift toward dried cherry, earth and leather. One note for the catalog: the product record lists Orvieto as the appellation. That conflicts with the Chianti Classico region, so the description doesn't state it.