Azienda Agricola Frascole - Chianti Rufina, Italy (2020)

Chianti Rufina is the coolest sub-region of Chianti, located about 30 minutes North East of Florence. High elevation vineyards sit about 500 metres above sea level, giving a much more continental climate than the rest of Tuscany. The high

elevation is significant because while the days are hot, the nights tend to be quite cool, even in the summer, which makes wines that are more aromatic, with more fruit characteristics, higher acidity and greater aging capacity. Sangiovese ripens more slowly in Rufina, which tends to make for more enjoyable tannins. There are just 22 wineries in the area, most very small. 

This blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino comes from three organic vineyard plots, planted in 1970, 1996 and 1998. Grapes are hand-picked and then sorted before being de-stemmed and crushed. The winery employs several different fermentation vessels, both stainless steel and concrete, and uses only indigenous yeasts for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. When the malos are finished, half of the wine goes into a combination of barrels (large and small, new and old) for about 12 months. After 18 months, the final wine is blended from the different barrels and bottled without fining or filtration.