Selvapiana Chianti Ruffina

Chianti Rufina is a Sangiovese-driven Italian red style. Wines under that name usually run higher in acidity and firmer in structure than many other Chianti bottlings. Expect sour cherry, red plum and dried herbs on the nose, with a savory edge of tomato leaf, leather or tea. This listing doesn't give a vintage, blend or oak regime, so treat those as typical of the style, not as measured facts about this bottle. On the palate, wines like this are generally medium-bodied with bright, mouth-watering acidity and grippy but fine-grained tannin. Oak, if used, tends to be large neutral casks. That keeps the fruit and the savory character in front of any vanilla or toast. The finish is usually dry, moderately long and a little bitter-cherry in tone, which is why the wine works at the table more than on its own. That acidity and tannin point to food with fat, salt or tomato. Pasta with ragù, pizza, grilled sausages, roast chicken with herbs and aged pecorino or Parmigiano all suit it. A bistecca-style grilled steak also works, since the acidity cuts through the char and fat. Very spicy dishes and delicate fish will be overpowered by the tannin. Serve it at about 15 to 17°C (60 to 63°F), which is cellar temperature and slightly cooler than a warm room. Too warm, and the alcohol and tannin become more noticeable. Pull the bottle from the fridge for about 15 minutes if it has been chilled. A short decant of 30 minutes, or simply opening the bottle early, can soften a young wine with firm tannin. It isn't required. Use a medium-sized tulip glass with a modest taper, which concentrates the cherry and herbal aromas without exaggerating the tannin. Most Chianti Rufina is made to be enjoyed within a few years of release. The best examples can hold in a cool, dark cellar for longer, gaining leathery and earthy notes as the fruit fades. With no vintage or cellaring information in this listing, the safe approach is to drink it soon with a meal. Keep it on its side away from heat and light if you hold it for a short time.