I Veroni Chianti Rufina La Rusticola 2019

Two words. Two words that have a tendency to set a fire in the hearts of long-time First Bottlers...I Veroni! Yes, this historic, ancient estate in the cradle of Chianti Rufina has been a favorite for years – and this tiny production “Rusticola” (named for the seasonal woodcocks that grace the estate) can’t be found ANYWHERE else! In the high-flying, five-star vintage of 2019...this is a wonder to behold. UNDER $17 makes this impossible to ignore...and even harder to stop sipping all spring and summer long!

I VERONI is one of the very top Rufina estates, dating back to the 1500s, and this wine is made by none other than super-consultant Andrea Paoletti (the genius behind rockstar Super Tuscans Ornellaia and Tignanello!), and winemaker/agronomist Paola De Blasi. For under $17, this is some serious pedigree, and this organically farmed sangiovese is one of the very best, year after year. The Rufina zone of Chianti sits higher in elevation than Chianti Classico, at some 250-280 meters above sea level. This top estate lies in the Pontassieve Hills, spread over 50 hectares of rolling Tuscan hillside perfection, and only about 10 km from bustling Florence. Just around 15 hectares of the property is dedicated to vines, with another 20 set aside for organic olive groves (their olive oil is out of this world)!

This 2019 “La Rusticola” might just be the finest wine we’ve ever had from this marvelous estate, wonderfully perfumed, deep, rich, and concentrated. Bushels of ripe black cherries, plums, roasted herbs, and baking spices throughout – notably, clove, rosemary, cinnamon, and even a bit of cocoa powder! For our price, it’s simply amazing. We bought everything we could...this hits all the marks of Chianti, Tuscany, and sangiovese – at a price that can scarcely be believed! Get a handful, these belong on your table no less than once a week – enhancing everything from pasta to roasts, to charcuterie boards and cheese...you simply can’t go wrong here!