Agriturismo Colognole, Chianti Rufina, 2021

ABOUT THE WINE. In 1892, Conte Venceslao Spalletti, Senator to the Kingdom of Italy and owner of a fine agricultural estate in upper Emilia, purchased the Colognole and Lucciano (in Chianti Montalbano) estates. Colognole was initially utilised mainly for lumber production, thanks to its extensive forests, but in 1912, due to the interest shown from the Conte's sons, Giambattista and Cesar, production focused on grapevines and olive trees. This development led, in the 1930s, to the construction of the Cantine Spalletti in the city of Rufina. Production significantly increased both in quantity and quality, and in the 1960s the name Spalletti had become synonymous with high-quality Tuscan wine, particularly for age-worthy reds. In the 1980s, with the addition to the shareholders of a large sparkling-wine producer, the owner gave up both the production cellar and the name Spalletti and concentrated their efforts on the Colognole Estate.. TASTING NOTES. A medium body with a ruby red colour. Cherry fruit on the nose with darker fruit, light spice and earth on the palate, extremely smooth, and velvety tannins, and perfect acidity and well-balanced.. FOOD PAIRING. It goes particularly well with traditional Tuscan meat dishes, such as grilled lamb, pork ribs, stew, and antipasto.. FRIARWOOD SAYS. We love this Chianti, from an area that produces softer wines compared to the Classico counterpart.