Country: Italy  Region: Tuscany  Vintage: 2014 Category: Red Wine  Color:  Red  Varietal: Sangiovese and blends Producer: Ruffino When cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino established their winery in 1877, the Chianti Classico region between Florence and Siena was in a dismal state. Modern Chianti had been invented several decades before by Baron Ricasoli, as a vehicle to bring prosperity to the poverty-stricken area. Classico Gran Selezione DOCG wine must be made from estate fruit. The definition of estate mirrors that in the U.S. The vineyard must be owned or “controlled” by the producer, but does not have to be contiguous to the winery. Nonetheless, this requirement is unique to Gran Selezione among the three DOCG categories and it prevents aggressive increases in volume through spur-of-the-moment fruit purchases. Tasting Note: Dark ruby-colored in the glass with outgoing aromas of leather, earth, dense dark cherry, and mint. The wine has medium-plus body in the mouth with moderate tannins which are fine-grained and slightly chewy. Generous acidity balances the texture and lengthens the ample flavors of dark earth, savory black cherry, aged leather, graphite, and moist tobacco. Enjoy now through 2028. Food Suggestion: Ideal for red meat, wild game and cheese.