VILLA DI VETRICE | Chianti Rufina | 2016
sangiovese | canaiolo | colorino

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Villa di Vetrice has very deep roots in the Chianti Rufina region, where the Grati family having cultivated vines for five generations. Nestled in the high hills of historical Chianti Rufina sub-region, east of Florence, the estate combines traditional vine growing practices with modern winemaking techniques. The family’s dedication to quality and their historical connection to the land contribute significantly to the distinctive, old world character of their wines.
Today we are are going to review a genuine Chianti wine from the famous Tuscany region of northern Italy – Chianti Rufina 2016 by Villa di Vetrice. This wine is the epitome of a traditional Chianti – a harmonious blend of all three main grape varieties of the historical Chianti region: sangiovese (90%), canaiolo (7%) and colorino (3%), where sangiovese forms the wine’s main body and structure, canaiolo enhances the up-front richness and rounds up the wine’s mouthfeel, while colorino adds more color depth, hence its name that translated from italian means ‘little color‘.

Chianti wines can be made with grapes sourced from a vast region within Tuscany: from the foothills of the Apennine Mountains, to the flatter plains towards the Mediterranean Sea, but, in order to taste some of best expressions of sangiovese-based Chianti wines, one needs to look into higher elevations, towards the original boundaries of the Chianti region, called Chianti Classico, where wines are made in smaller quantities, with lower yields and therefore are of higher quality. The best wines from the Chianti Classico sub-region will be labelled as ‘Riserva’ or ‘Gran Selezione’.

Today’s wine is made with grapes that were sourced from the the highest altitude vineyards in Chianti Classico region, the historical Chianti Rufina DOCG, planted on limestone-rich soils. This wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks under controlled temperature conditions. After the first refinement, the wine then ages for six months in traditional to Chianti Classico region, large (28 hl) slavonian oak barrels, followed by another 6 months of ageing in concrete vats before bottling. This traditional winemaking technique is aimed to add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, while at the same time intended to preserve the varietal characteristics of the sangiovese grapes and those delicate, terroir-driven hints that the unique microclimate of Chianti Rufina sub-region offer.

The Chianti Classico DOCG is renowned for its diverse terroir, characterized by rolling hills, warm summers, and mild winters, providing ideal conditions for grape growing. The soils composition differ vastly, from rocky and well-drained soils around the region’s highest hills, to fertile clay-based soils at lower altitudes, supporting various root systems that enhance vibrant fruit expression. Those diverse microregions allow the winemakers to experiment with different plots in order to build a wine that truly reflects their vision or wines that are capable to reflect the footprints of local terroirs.
The Chianti Rufina DOCG is distinguished from other Chianti subzones mostly due to its high elevation and the specific microclimates that result in concentrated and structured wines. The combination of well-drained soils, cooler temperatures, and exposure to direct sunlight above the fog line, help the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness while maintaining high natural acidity and freshness. The vineyards are situated at higher altitudes, benefiting from significant temperature variations between day and night, which plays a crucial role in developing more structure and complexity. The wines from this sub-region are often noted for their robustness, concentration, and tannins, giving them more aging potential and appeal.

color: medium-deep garnet color
clarity: hazy copper shades at the rim

In the glass, this wine displays a medium-deep garnet color, with very hazy copper shades at the rim of the glass, indicative of its age and a clear tell of the sangiovese grape variety.

intensity: rich & savory-vegetal
fruit character: ripe & seedy

On the nose, the wine reveals a rich and savory-vegetal aromatic profile, with a ripe and seedy fruit character. The foreground is dominated by red fruits such as cranberry, redcurrant, and sour cherry, intertwined with subtle earthy notes of clay, loam and brown soil. Hints of spice add further complexity, while the background reveals a distinctive vegetal (wormwood, asparagus) and herbal (basil, bay leaf) aromatic accent, enhanced by subtle oak-derived undertones of cherry tree wood and fresh oakwood.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: medium+ | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: seedy-crisp

On the palate, this wine reveals itself as a firm and well-structured Chianti blend with a seedy texture on the mouthfeel. It feels dry, boasting bright acidity that brings liveliness and freshness, while a well-integrated touch of alcohol provides warmth without overwhelming the palate. The seedy-ripe tannins contribute to a grippy texture, forming a crisp and seedy aftertaste, underscoring its old-world charm.

maturity: almost in its prime | drink now or within the next 2 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

Overall, this is a classic and traditional old world Chianti wine: crisp, seedy and firm, with bright acidity and grippy tannins – a hallmark that is hard to miss in a blind tasting. It feels ample and slightly angular, with very good typicity of the sangiovese grape variety. While ready to drink now, the wine can also be enjoyed within the next 2 years for optimal freshness.

VILLA DI VETRICE | Chianti Rufina | 2016
variety: sangiovese | canaiolo | colorino
country: Italy | Toscana
region: Chianti Rufina
rating: 93.6

This wine would pair beautifully with classic italian dishes, such as vitello tonnato or tournedos rossini, as the wine’s vibrant acidity would cut through the savory, fat-rich softness of the dish, thus enhancing the overall tasting experience with a delightful harmony of flavours and textures.

Chianti Rufina is one of the smallest and least known appellations in Tuscany, often overshadowed by the larger Chianti Classico region. Wines from this area provide great value for their quality, while also being more traditional in style, especially when compared with their Classico counterparts.

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