Riserva Ducale Stravecchio
⏳ Drinking Window
2016 - 2026
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted wild boar ragù, grilled Bistecca alla Fiorentina, and aged Pecorino Toscano cheese.
✨ Technical Specifications
Ruffino's Riserva Ducale Stravecchio holds a legendary place in Tuscan winemaking history, tracing its lineage back to the late 19th century when the Duke of Aosta appointed Ruffino as the official supplier to the Italian Royal House. First officially released in 1947 as an extra-aged ('stravecchio') selection of the finest vintages, this wine represents the historical precursor to the modern Riserva Ducale Oro. Sourced from prestigious estate vineyards in the heart of Chianti Classico, the blend is anchored by Sangiovese, complemented by small portions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The grapes thrive in the region's classic galestro and alberese soils, which impart a distinct mineral complexity. Traditional long maceration is followed by extensive aging in both large Slavonian oak casks and barriques, yielding a wine of profound depth, velvety tannins, and notes of dark cherry, leather, and tobacco.
🍾 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.
🍇 Grapes
Sangiovese (min 80%), Canaiolo, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon