Ruffino Ducale Oro Riserva Chianti Classico 2010

Heather Wall rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Just in time for the Christmas season this beauty will hit the Vintages shelves December 12, 2015. A Grand Selection Reserved for the Duke (roughly translated) the grapes in this Chianti Classico are specially harvested and minimally handled in order to preserve their individual qualities. Aromas and flavours of dried fruit, cassis, violets, dried herbs,leather,earthiness, touches of chocolate and espresso. The wine is complex and balanced. Perfect for your favourite pastas and pizzas. Great gift idea.
Tasted: October 2015

Donna Hargrove rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Since Riserva Ducale Oro's first release in 1947, this wine commemorates an excellent vintage year, and the 2010 vintage is no exception. Earthy with notes of cherry, plum and spices, this wine will pair perfectly with a steak or traditional italian pasta dishes. Tasted - October 18, 2015

Jon Steeves rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

The 2010 vintage of Riserva Ducal Oro, is a a fantastic example of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG. This label was first produced by Ruffino in 1947 and their commitment to quality shows in every sip. This vintage is produced of grapes sourced 100% from Ruffino Gretole Estate and Santedame Estate in the Castellina subregion of Chianti Classico, featuring poor soils which are great for growing fantastic grapes, South/South-West facing hills, which produce effective diurnal temperature variation, fantastic acidity and sugar concentration. Hand harvested fruit, 12 months in neutral oak casks, followed by another 12 months in 2nd use Slovenian barriques without significant oak influence and a further half year in bottle before release. This wine shows well integrated, well balanced, ruby red with garnet hue. On the nose, this wine is complex with presence of a cola aromatic, ample ripe plum, cherry, cocoa and a hint of baking spice. On the palate, the blackberry and cherry fruit is prominant with a hint of cola and cocoa. Although not produced in appassimento style, this wine shows characteristics of highly concentrated fruit and a 14.5% ABV weight, long finish and persistence of dark chocolate, blackberry, cherry, cinnamon and a hint of clove. Exceptionally well structured, this wine gives elegance to tannic experience, depth to the fruit, and is carried with perfect acidity for enjoying on its own of with traditional Italian dishes such as eggplant parmesan or grilled steak. Wonderful to enjoy now, or cellar till 2025.

Cherie Cole rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Big, bold and bursting with notes of cherry, mint, violet and leather. Enjoy a bottle now and keep another in your cellar to enjoy in 5+ years. Share a bottle with friends and rustic Italian fare. Tasted October 18, 2015 - Ruffino dinner.

Sean O'Regan rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Deep ruby, with nose of black cherry, spice, herb and earthy notes. Evolved on the palate with dried cherry, plum, spicy oak and savory tones. Extended ageing indicated by Gran Selezione on the label has softened the drying tannins, but there is still some grip - keep another year in the cellar or decant for an hour. A great Chianti from an excellent vintage.
Tasted Oct 2015 at Ruffino wine tasting dinner.

Jennifer Havers rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Medium bodied. Red ripe fruit, cherry, leather and cedar aromas. Bright and tart on the palate, berry and spice comes through. Pronounced but not overhwelming tannin, nice acidity which would complement a tomato sauce. Perfect with a rustic Italian feast.

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

A nice bouquet of fresh cranberry, fresh cherry, minty, earthy aromas & flavours. Very luscious and smooth on the palate. Medium body, velvety smooth tannins, glorious acidity and a wonderful minty cranberry finish. Don't think twice about pairing this wine with any tomato sauce based dishes, or even a posh pizza. I'm trending towards duck confit and creamy rose chanterelle mushroom ravioli.

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

A powerful, complex Chianti, with layers of cherry, new leather and cedar box. Heavy tannins, with high acid make this a great food wine that is capable of aging many years. Would go well with a meaty Italian dishes.

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

Beautiful and brooding. Dark fruit and tar, pine, cigar box. A wine with a long life ahead.

Matt Steeves rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Plum, cherry, cedar, leather, and graphite on the nose. Superbly balanced, with ample tannins that will allow this wine to age gracefully for 10 years, but why wait when it's drinking so well now. Tasted February 2015. 91 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

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

Black cherry, dust, mint, and a very slight hint of violets and vanilla. The taste grabs you right away with some assertive tannins. The acidity is just right for the roundness of the fruit, mostly blackberry and black cherry. There's a nice long tannic blackberry finish. An impressive wine with hearty stews and pasta dishes.

Kristin Perrin rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Earthy, herbaceous medicinal sweet cherry on the nose.
All of the above confirmed on the palate, medium plus bodied, tight acidity- medium plus tannins with a spicy finish.

Homemade meatballs in a slightly spicy tomato sauce, please. Grazi!

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

Fragrant, layered, well-balanced and full of flavour- a perennial favourite amongst Chianti lovers. Bright fruit flavours, lively acidity and satisfying to the last drop. An excellent gift wine.
Tasted December 2015