Deep ruby color; cherry, blackcurrant, blueberry, raspberry, balsamic, violets, spice, black pepper, oak, leather on the nose and palate.
Dry; smooth, mature tannins and balancing acidity and alcohol. Medium body. Clean, svelte in the mouth. Sophisticated texture and flavor. After destemming, spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks, followed by maceration to extract color and nuances. Aged in barrels for two years, followed by two years aging in bottle. Balanced, easy drinker. 14% ABV
Primarily made with sangiovese, abetted by “complementary varieties” according to the website. Other sources note black malvasia, colorino, canaiolo were the complementary grapes. Still, this is a sangiovese play, as it must be to be labeled Chianti. The other grapes smooth off some edges and contribute to the easy, round, tasty drinkability of this excellent effort.
Members of the Frescobaldi family have been prestigious players in Florence and Tuscany for more than 700 years. They began producing wine in Tuscany in 1308; some of their customers included Michelangelo and Henry VIII. At the high point of medieval Florence, the Frescobaldi family spread its influence as bankers, earning the title of treasurer to the English crown. Later, with the flowering of the Renaissance, they became patrons of major works in Florence, including construction of the Santa Trinita bridge and the Basilica of Santo Spirito. In a foreshadowing of the Super Tuscan revolution, they began planting chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot vines in the region in 1855.
In 2007, Lamberto Frescobaldi, the 30th generation of the family, became vice president and oversaw the renewal of the estates in the family’s extensive portfolio. In 2013, Lamberto became president of the company, taking over from his uncle Leonardo. Lamberto studied at UC-Davis and has worked to modernize the company and expand in the U.S. and other markets since the late 1980s. You have a good chance of finding this wine in better wine stores and online.
Frescobaldi Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Collezione Privata Chianti Rúfina Riserva 2018 is quite smooth with some complexity, but mostly shines as an affable easy drinker. Supple and seductive. You can drink glass after glass and not realize you have been drinking glass after glass. There is an easy to enjoy initial attack and mid-palate with harmonious and extended finish. Pair with almost any Italian fare you want to eat; pasta with both tomato and white sauces; pizza; lighter beef—not enough acidity to carve through heavy fats; veal—especially in Italian cooking; lamb; pork—pulled pork, pork chops; chicken—not fried; ribollita—a thick Tuscan vegetable soup. Cheese—hard, mature Italian cheeses; aged pecorino, parmesan, parmigiano-reggiano, asiago, provolone, fontina. $25
Frescobaldi website, rich with photos and videos
