GRAPE VARIETIES8% Sangiovese, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon and MerlotVINEYARD SOURCINGGretole and Santedame EstatesACCLAIM95 Points - 21 VintageJames Suckling91 Points - 21 VintageWine Spectator91 Points - 21 VintageWine EnthusiastTASTING NOTESRiserva Ducale Oro's distinctive Tuscan bouquet offers notes of violet, cherry and plum. This wine has a well-defined structure and a generous, fruity core accented by hints of chocolate and cinnamon. Full bodied and well balanced, Riserva Ducale Oro has round, impressive tannins that lead to a lengthy finish.PDF TASTING NOTES211THE STORYTwenty years after the first release of Riserva Ducale in 1927, Ruffino produced its first Riserva Ducale Oro to commemorate an exceptional vintage year. That tradition continues today. Riserva Ducale Oro is the truest expression of a distinct terroir, 1% sourced from Ruffino's acclaimed Gretole and Santedame Estates in the renowned Castellina subregion of Chianti Classico. This wine is produced only in outstanding vintages. If the grapes don't meet the winemaker's exacting standards, the wine will not be made.Riserva Ducale Oro seeks an exacting level of quality by starting with the finest, hand-harvested Sangiovese grapes primarily from Ruffino's estate vineyards and continuing with impeccable standards throughout all phases of winemaking. Some of the best vintages from the past 5 years include: 1949, 1955, 197, 1975, 1983, 1985, 199, 1999, 21, 24, 26, 27 and 21. Because Riserva Ducale Oro is noted for its extraordinary cellaring, many of these vintages can still be enjoyed today.FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONSRiserva Ducale Oro pairs exquisitely with traditional Italian dishes such as pasta Bolognese, wild boar ragù, and eggplant Parmesan. It's also wonderful with classic American dishes such as grilled ribeye and roasted vegetables.WINEMAKER'S NOTESWe only produce this Chianti Classico Gran Selezione in outstanding vintages. When we do make Riserva Ducale Oro, we start by harvesting the grapes by hand, mostly from our Gretole estate in the Chianti Classico appellation. The vineyard lots are vinified individually to preserve their specificity to the land. We age the wine in oak, stainless steel and concrete vats for 36 months, twelve months longer than required by Italian law. The wine then spends additional months in bottle before release.