Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 327,329 strong:

Register Today!

Ruffino Modus 2016 Wine Review

Ruffino Modus 2016

Ruffino Modus 2016

Tuscany I.G.T., Italy

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 7

  Add My Review


Price: $32.95

Drink: 2019-2026

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 13.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Ruffino

Agent: Arterra Wines Canada Inc.

Natalie's Score: 93/100

The 2016 vintage of this rich, full-bodied Italian red wine is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot grapes. The vines are planted primarily in the vineyards of Ruffino's estates of Poggio Casciano and Santedame, which is hilly clay rich in fossil fragments. The wine undergoes a malolactic fermentation and a post-fermentative maceration on the skins for 2 weeks to add richness and depth. It's then aged for 12 months in first, second and third use American and French 225 litre oak barrels. This Super Tuscan is worthy of your attention, from its ruby-violet gem glints in the glass to its finish as long as a Tuscan country road. It delivers an intense bouquet of black cherry, plum, graphite, dried tobacco leaves and dark spice. This robust red wine has remarkably polished tannins that yield to a supple, smooth texture. Incredible concentration and flavour at such a reasonable level of alcohol. Pair with truffle-inflected dishes and grilled steak.

Best Beef Wine

This Ruffino Modus 2016 was reviewed on November 16, 2019 by Natalie MacLean

Pricing & Stock Information

StoreStock    
Richmond & Kirkwood68 Add
Avenue & Lawrence40 Add
Hunt Club & Merivale (Nepean Crossroads)31 Add
Howard & E.c. Row Expwy (Roundhouse Ctr)30 Add
Wilson & Dufferin29 Add
See More Edit

Reviews and Ratings

Wineboy rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

A super, super Tuscan with black cherry, herbs, and vanilla elements. Ripeness is detectable from the bouquet, and the palate does not dissapoint. Long, long finish of black fruits and a perfect replay of the herb and vanilla elements. Magical is how these stay in balance over the wines full length. Worth beyond it's price.
Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Rich and full-bodied, a blend of 50% Sangiovese, with 25% Merlot and 25% Cab Sauv. Luscious layers of red and dark fruit, touches of vanilla, sweet spice(cloves), cocoa, mint and leather. I've enjoyed this several times over the years and never tire of it. Makes a great gift wine, too.
Enjoy with beef carpaccio.
Christian Marcoux rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Italia with love, Modus 2016, from Toscana, shows classic aromas of dried blueberry, fig, dried leaf, hard cheese, smoke, cigar box, leather and oak. Crafted from 39% Sangiovese, 35% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, this Italian wine delivers a silky finish with supple tannins. Full-bodied with a beautiful structure, this food-friendly wine delivers flavors of cherry, raspberry, bay leaf, tobacco, expresso, smoke and cedar. Vibrant wine. Enjoy!
Simon Chen rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

one of my go-to super tuscan wines every year, ~$29 at LCBO and it's a steal. Toasty and black fruits on the nose. Rich, chewy, big structure on the mid palate. Finish at this point is a bit short but decanting (or aging) for a few hours (years) will definitely help to open up the wine. Would pair easily with meat pizza, osso bucco, or a nice big piece of steak!
Jay Denney rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This is a stellar Tuscan. I love Ruffino's Chianti, but for a few bucks more you can this much more complex offering. Dark fruit, pencil shavings and a whiff of deli counter are what you'll find here. Let it breathe a bit as those tannins are ready to pounce, and your patience will lead you to a rich and full mouthfeel.
Ellen rated this wine as 80/100 with the following review:

Great Tuscan wine for the price

If you liked the Ruffino Modus 2016, you might also like these wines:

Recipes for Ruffino Modus 2016

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

Wine of the Week

As featured on  

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 327,329 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

  Best Books of the Year

Red, White & Drunk all over by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

  Best Books of the Year

Unquenchable by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

Insider tips on starting a wine cellar
From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources.   learn more  

337,676

WINE
REVIEWS

327,329

ACTIVE
MEMBERS
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award