TUSCANY, ITALY
 
Bucerchiale is Selvapiana's flagship wine, a Riserva-level Chianti Rùfina crafted from the grapes of the estate's best vineyard, Bucerchiale. Francesco Giuntini, working with young winemaker Franco Bernabei on his second vintage at Selvapiana, created this special wine to be a long-aging benchmark of the best of Rùfina's and Selvapiana's Sangiovese. The wine is not a blend, as is normal with Chianti, but rather is pure Sangiovese to show that variety without any adornment by other blending components. First produced in 1979, Bucerchiale is made in only the best vintages, seven or eight times per decade.

93 James Suckling
Red-fruit and mineral nose with sour cherries, iron, tobacco and earthy spice. Firm and savory on the palate with medium body and a lightly chewy, energetic finish. Very attractive, spiced and vibrant, with a tense and lingering finish. Drink or hold.
 
90 Wine Spectator
A bright,fruity style, this red evokes cherry, raspberry, black pepper and earth flavors, plus a hint of blood orange.A smoky undertone persists on the lengthy finish.