Montesodi Chianti Rufina Riserva 2021, Frescobaldi

A singular, exceptional plot at 400 metres elevation on the Castello Nipozzano estate, Montesodi became the first Chianti Rufina ‘Cru’ in 1974. The wine has a beautifully clear ruby-red colour, and a bouquet redolent of cherries and strawberries, with rosehip, violet, clove and black pepper, and a mellow mature character. The elegance and silky-smooth quality of the tannins on the palate is absolutely incredible, and the finish is long and persistent. This may be enjoyed immediately and over a decade or longer. After painstaking work carried out in the Montesodi vineyard, Sangiovese grapes are hand-harvested into 15 kg crates, and then carefully selected, berry by berry for the most perfectly ripe fruit. There is a traditional ageing process – first in large (30 hectolitre) Austrian and French oak barrels, and then in bottle.