Riserva Ducale - a Tuscan Classic
Since its first years of production, Riserva Ducale has become synonymous with fine Chianti, and it has played a leading role in the development of the privileged position which Tuscan quality wines hold throughout the world today.
In many markets this Riserva has in fact transcended its category and become known simply as "Riserva Ducale."
It has managed to preserve its excellent reputation through time, thanks to Ruffino's commitment to cultivating the finest Sangiovese grapes on the slopes of the Chianti Classico hills.
Riserva Ducale is an evolution of the "Ruffino Chianti" which has been produced since the beginning of the twentieth century.
One of the first and most prominent admirers of Ruffino wines was without doubt the Duke of Aosta, who at the end of the nineteenth century appointed Ruffino supplier to his house. The Duke's appreciation was made official in the form of a Ducal certificate.
From this event stems the origin of the name and the history of Riserva Ducale, a wine originally produced as Chianti Stravecchio, according to the production rules of the time, and subsequently reclassified as Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG.
This wine had a very innovative style. As the leading producer of Chianti wines, Ruffino had in fact applied new ageing methods to its Sangiovese - methods which were then mainly reserved for the best French wines and not common use in Italy.
The careful choice of vineyard locations and the scrupulous grape selection during harvest made this wine perfect for a very long ageing in oak: 2 years in the classic "botti," large oak casks, followed by a further refinement in the bottle. This happened in a period when the nature of Chianti was that of an everyday wine - a peasant's wine.
Riserva Ducale has shown the whole world that wines from the Chianti area can be so much more, that the Sangiovese grown on this territory has a noble, generous soul.
RISERVA DUCALE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2006
RISERVA DUCALE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2005
RISERVA DUCALE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2004
RISERVA DUCALE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2002
- 89/100 Haaretz
- 88/100 Wine News
- 82/ 90 - AGWPE
RISERVA DUCALE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2001