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Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
The story
This fabled Ruffino wine has been one of our most prized since it was first released in 1927. Riserva Ducale is crafted using modern winemaking techniques to enhance traditional Italian methods, and is widely acknowledged as a benchmark for Chianti Classico Riserva.
Why this name? Ducale means ‘duke’ in Italian. Riserva Ducale honors the Duke of Aosta who braved a journey over the Alps to taste the Ruffino wines that he had heard so much about. He was so impressed by the wine that in 1890 he appointed Ruffino as the official supplier to the Italian royal family. This honor is not only reflected in the wine’s name, but is depicted on its iconic label, one of the most recognized in the world of Italian wine.
Food pairing suggestions
Enjoy this timeless Tuscan gem with Italian favorites such as prosciutto and other antipasti, mushroom risotto, pasta Bolognese, and chicken cacciatore. Or, pair it with simple grilled meats and roasted vegetables for a classic Tuscan meal.
Winemaker's notes
We start with a careful selection of the best grapes from the traditional Chianti Classico production region in Tuscany, including fruit from our own Santedame, Gretole and Montemasso estates. The blend is 80% Sangiovese—the most predominant and most famous red grape variety of Chianti—along with 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine undergoes secondary malolactic fermentation to enhance its velvety texture, then ages for 24 months in oak, stainless steel and concrete vats. Riserva Ducale spends an additional three months in bottle before release.
Vuosikerta 1995
1995 marked the beginning of a series of strong vintages. Indeed, 1995 itself was a year that saw tribulations transformed into triumphs. Spring started off nicely with warm weather only to turn rainy during the blooming period, which effectively stopped fertilisation at its halfway point. An extremely hot July made a dramatic transition into a chilly August. Excess moisture also led to the spread of mold-related diseases. This moisture, however, was duly evaporated by the Indian summer that followed, thus saving the vintage. In Piedmont August hailstorms destroyed as much as 70% of plantations in some areas. Tuscany was spared from the hail and the hot topic of discussion that autumn was the 45-day stretch without rain just before the harvest.
Wines from this vintage are very long-lasting and still require further bottle maturation to reach their full potential. In my opinion, the Chianti Classicos should be drunk right now, even though they could do with a bit more maturation.