Cabreo Borgo
⏳ Drinking Window
2020 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted rosemary lamb, grilled Florentine steak (Bistecca alla Fiorentina), and aged Pecorino Toscano cheese.
✨ Technical Specifications
Conceived in 1982 as one of the pioneering 'Super Tuscans,' Cabreo Il Borgo (often referred to simply as Cabreo Borgo) represents a bold departure from traditional Chianti regulations. Produced by the historic house of Ruffino at their Tenute del Cabreo estate in the rolling hills of Greve in Chianti, this wine is named after the 'cabrei'—the historic, hand-painted land registry maps used by Tuscan aristocratic estates to detail their properties. The wine is a masterful blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, marrying the bright cherry acidity and rustic charm of Tuscany's signature grape with the structured, black-currant depth of the French variety. Grown in stony, clay-limestone soils at elevations up to 300 meters, the grapes are harvested by hand, fermented in temperature-controlled tanks, and aged for roughly 16 to 18 months in French oak barriques, followed by extensive bottle refinement. This process yields a wine of profound elegance, complexity, and velvety texture, reflecting both Tuscan heritage and modern innovation.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1877 by cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino in Pontassieve near Florence, Ruffino is one of Tuscany's defining historic houses, instrumental in introducing classic Chianti to the international arena. Originally honored as official suppliers to the Italian royal court, the estate expanded significantly under the Folonari family before becoming the Italian flagship for Constellation Brands. Today, Ruffino oversees hundreds of hectares spanning iconic Tuscan terroirs—including Chianti Classico, Montalcino, and Bolgheri—as well as estates in the Veneto. Vineyard holdings feature galestro- and alberese-rich marls, limestone, and clay terraces situated at optimal elevations with warm, sun-drenched diurnal shifts. Under chief winemaker Gabriele Tacconi, viticulture emphasizes complete organic certification and rigorous biodiversity standards. The estate's stylistic identity balances traditional Tuscan structural depth with polished precision, anchored by historical benchmarks such as Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale, the Gran Selezione benchmark Riserva Ducale Oro, the Super Tuscan Modus, and fresh regional expressions like Lumina Pinot Grigio.