Riserva Ducale Oro (1958)

About this wine

On the nose this wine shows intense cherry and plum with violet and a hint of incense, followed by graphite and subtle eucalyptus. The palate is full and structured with well shaped tannins and lively acidity that keep the fruit focused. Flavors move from macerated cherry and black plum to notes of dark chocolate, black pepper and a touch of sweet tobacco on the finish. The texture is rounded but precise, reflecting extended aging that softens the tannins while preserving energy. The wine is made from a majority of Sangiovese with about twenty percent Merlot plus Cabernet Sauvignon and complementary varieties, and it is matured in concrete, second use barriques and large Slavonian oak for roughly three years in total. A few concrete facts, the fruit comes from select vineyards in Gretole and Santedame in Castellina in Chianti, and the Riserva Ducale Oro was first produced as a special selection in 1947 by Ruffino.

About the grape

The core of Riserva Ducale Oro is Sangiovese, a centuries old Tuscan grape prized for its bright acidity and firm tannins, grown here in the Castellina in Chianti sites of Gretole and Santedame on clay and calcareous soils with galestro which helps give structure and longevity. Merlot is used as a complementary variety to add roundness and plush fruit, and in this bottling those lots are typically vinified separately and aged in second use barriques to soften tannins before blending. Cabernet Sauvignon provides additional backbone and darker fruit, it is handled like the Merlot with barrel aging and then assembled with the Sangiovese which spends longer in large Slavonian oak to preserve varietal lift. The ensemble reflects specific vineyard selection and cellar choices, with careful maceration and staged oak regimes that show how each grape contributes to the final Gran Selezione blend.

Quick facts

• 🏺 Riserva Ducale Oro was released as a special gold label selection from Ruffino cellar stocks, the Oro tag signals a back vintage pick kept by the house for years before release
• 🕰️ The 1958 vintage of Riserva Ducale Oro is famous among collectors for its extraordinary longevity, it received top tasting scores decades after bottling which boosted its cult status
• 👑 Ducale Oro translates to ducal gold, the name was chosen to evoke a sense of regal exclusivity and to mark wines set aside for distinguished occasions
• 🌍 Although rooted in Sangiovese, Ruffino often included small amounts of international varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in special Riserva blends, making some vintages uniquely modern for their time
• 🎉 Ruffino began in 1877 and the Riserva Ducale range became the house flagship, the Oro releases are selectively made only in years the cellar deems exceptional, which makes each Oro vintage a mini event for collectors

Palate profile

Producer

Ruffino, founded in 1877 by cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino in Pontassieve, Tuscany, quickly gained international acclaim for its Chianti wines, becoming the first to export Chianti to the United States. In 1927, they introduced the renowned Riserva Ducale, named in honor of the Duke of Aosta, a testament to their commitment to quality. Over the decades, Ruffino expanded its vineyard holdings across Tuscany, including estates in Chianti Classico, Montalcino, and Montepulciano, and in 2011, it became part of Constellation Brands, further solidifying its global presence. Today, Ruffino continues to blend tradition with innovation, producing wines that embody the rich heritage of Italian winemaking.