Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The wine comes from parcels V4 and V5 at Ruffoli, on the hillside overlooking Greve in Chianti and extending from Monte San Michele. Querciabella cultivates 15 hectares of Sangiovese here in a mosaic of distinct parcels. The wider vineyard area ranges from 350 to 600 metres and has varied exposures, predominantly south and south-west; the 2021 release is associated with hillsides rising to 550 metres.
Galestro, sandstone and clay shape the site. At higher elevations, the soils are lighter and more skeletal, with a greater sandstone component. Lower on the slope, deeper galestro-based soils contain more clay. The climate is generally dry, while constant air circulation moderates temperatures during the growing season. These conditions support an equilibrium between ripeness and acidity and contribute generous fruit, layered structure, mineral tension and refined elegance.
Grapes
100% Sangiovese.
Vinification
The fruit undergoes a 30-day submerged-cap maceration. The estate’s broader Genius Loci project was developed through nearly two decades of research, separate parcel vinifications and comparative tasting, seeking precise expressions of the relationship between Sangiovese and individual sites.
Ageing
The wine matures for nine months in tonneaux and then for 12 months in 25–30 hL casks, followed by 30 months in bottle.
Technical data
Chianti Classico DOCG. Average wine yield is 30 hL/ha. Alcohol is 14% vol. Annual production is 2,600 bottles. Formats comprise 0.750 L in a three-bottle cardboard box and 1.5 L in a single-bottle wooden case.
Tasting profile
The 2021 opens with blackberry, dark cherry and plum, accompanied by a subtle flinty note. It is medium-bodied but layered, with concentrated, vibrant fruit and nuances of lavender, spice, menthol and liquorice. The structure is powerful, while the long finish is precise and mineral-driven. Red-cherry fruit, depth, tension and elegance are joined by the clarity and energy associated with Ruffoli’s high-altitude Sangiovese.
Serving and pairing
Bright fruit, herbal lift and mineral depth suit dishes with earthy richness and refined savoury layers. Suggested pairings include agnolotti del plin with veal jus and black truffle, slow-roasted suckling pig, celeriac steak with red-wine jus and herbed lentils, roast duck with orange glaze, seared tuna with ponzu reduction, and charred king oyster mushroom with soy-miso glaze, pickled daikon and black-garlic broth. Mature cheeses such as 36-month Parmigiano Reggiano and aged Pecorino di Pienza provide salty, crystalline textures and umami richness.
Vintage notes
The 2021 is the first Greve vintage to display the UGA on its label. It was released alongside site-specific Gran Selezione wines from Radda and Lamole as part of Querciabella’s Genius Loci exploration of Chianti Classico. The wine expresses the Ruffoli site through concentrated fruit, mineral clarity, vitality and layered complexity.
