Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (2020)

About this wine

This Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is based on Sangiovese with a portion of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Colorino, sourced mainly from Ruffino’s Gretole and Santedame vineyards in Castellina in Chianti. The 2020 shows a deep ruby color with a slight garnet tint at the rim and opens with aromas of violet, black cherry, ripe plum and blackberry layered with notes of tobacco, cocoa, cinnamon, clove and black pepper. On the palate it is rich and concentrated yet refined, with dark cherry and plum at the core complemented by hints of dried rose, balsamic nuances and a touch of earthy spice. Tannins are firm but polished and are balanced by lively acidity, giving the wine a taut structure and a sense of freshness despite its depth. The wine spends about 36 months in a mix of concrete tanks, second use French barriques and large Slavonian oak casks, followed by further bottle aging, which helps to knit together fruit, oak and tannin into a seamless whole. First released as a special selection in 1947, Riserva Ducale Oro is today bottled as Gran Selezione, the highest quality tier of Chianti Classico, and the 2020 vintage is built to evolve gracefully in the cellar for many years.

About the grape

Sangiovese is a very old central Italian grape that has been documented in Tuscany for centuries and in this Riserva Ducale Oro it forms the core of the blend from Ruffino vineyards in Castellina in Chianti where it is carefully selected to express the character of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. Merlot arrived in Tuscany from Bordeaux in the nineteenth century and in this wine it is planted in cooler vineyard pockets and used in a smaller proportion to add suppleness and support to the firm Sangiovese structure. Cabernet Sauvignon was brought to Tuscany during the rise of the Super Tuscan movement and Ruffino grows it on warmer well drained sites so that a modest share of the blend can contribute extra backbone and longevity without overwhelming the native grape. Colorino is an old local Tuscan variety traditionally prized for its deeply colored skins and sturdy tannins and here a small portion is included to reinforce color and structure in the final cuvée while maintaining a distinctly Tuscan identity.

Quick facts

• 🏰 The name Riserva Ducale was created in 1927 as a private cuvée for the Duke of Aosta who was such a fan that Ruffino honored him with his own Chianti Classico
• 🥇 Riserva Ducale Oro was first bottled in 1947 with the same label turned gold to mark an extraordinary vintage and it anticipated the modern Gran Selezione category by decades
• 👑 Ruffino calls Riserva Ducale Oro the prince of Chianti Classico reflecting its place as the estates flagship red from carefully selected parcels in Gretole and Santedame around Castellina in Chianti
• 🧱 Before resting in oak this Chianti Classico Gran Selezione spends a full year in old school concrete tanks which many Tuscan winemakers are now rediscovering for the gentle way they age Sangiovese
• 🎨 The project ORObyRUFFINO created a collectible Riserva Ducale Oro Gold Fever edition with only 1,877 numbered magnums each carrying a hand crafted ceramic plate painted with real gold inspired by a Milan Design Week artwork

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.