NIPPOZZANO MONTESODI CHIANTI RUFINA RISERVA 2021, Toscane

The higher-altitude Rufina grapes really shine here with a structure that’s both elegant and firm. I opened it with a simple pasta dish and the tannins softened beautifully after about forty minutes in the glass. A solid, well-made Chianti that feels worth the riserva label.

Decanting this for an hour really let the high-altitude character shine — the tannins are firm but polished, and it held up beautifully with a slow-braised pork dish.

I opened it last night and the structure is incredible—that single-vineyard fruit really comes through. The higher altitude gives it a freshness you don’t always find in Chianti, and it paired beautifully with our pasta. Definitely ordering another bottle.