Fattoria di Basciano Chianti Rufina Riserva 75cl

This is the Chianti for people who like their red wine with backbone. Fattoria di Basciano’s Chianti Rufina Riserva brings that classic Tuscan sour-cherry snap, then backs it up with savoury herbs, earthy depth, and tannins that mean business.

• Appearance: Deep ruby with garnet hints at the rim, the kind of colour that says “I’ve got stories.”
• Nose: Sour cherry, ripe plum, dried oregano, leather, and a flicker of cedar-like spice.
• Taste: Cherry and red currant up front, then tomato leaf, tobacco, and a touch of baking spice, dry with bright acidity and firm, grippy tannins.
• Body: Medium to full-bodied, structured and layered rather than plush.
• Finish: Long and savoury, with cherry skin, herbs, and earthy spice hanging around after the sip.

What makes it click is the Rufina zone. It’s one of Chianti’s smaller, hillier areas, and that extra altitude brings fresher acidity and tighter structure. So you get a wine that feels energetic, not heavy, and it keeps unfolding in the glass instead of blowing all its flavour in the first sip.

And because it’s a Riserva, it leans into extra depth and complexity, more dried-herb savour, more earthy nuance, more of that “one more taste” pull. This is the bottle you open when you want conversation-starter Chianti, not just background red.

It’s also a legit food wine in the most practical way, meaning the acidity wakes up rich sauces, and the tannins love anything grilled or roasted. If your dinner has olive oil, tomatoes, herbs, or char, you’re in the right neighbourhood.

Give it a little time in the glass and it gets even better, fruit gets brighter, the savoury notes get louder, and the whole thing feels more put-together. It’s a slow-burn bottle, in the best way.

Fun Fact: Chianti Rufina is the smallest of the main Chianti subzones, but it’s one of the most age-worthy, that cooler, hill-country profile helps the wines hold their shape for years.