Fattoria di Grignano 2018 Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina 375ml

Vin Santo is Tuscany’s traditional dessert wine, and this one comes from the Chianti Rufina subzone, northeast of Florence, near the town of Pontassieve. The grapes are 65% Malvasia del Chianti and 35% Trebbiano, grown in certified-organic vineyards on southeast-facing slopes at about 300 meters on alberese calcareous clay. Vines average 25 years old.

The method is slow and traditional. The most loosely packed, healthiest bunches are selected from different vineyards and hung in a well-ventilated room to dry naturally for about three months, concentrating their sugars. The dried grapes are then pressed gently, and the must is fermented and aged for five years in small oak barrels called caratelli, ranging from 50 to 225 liters. During that time the wine slowly oxidizes, which gives vin santo its amber color and its distinctive flavors of nuts, dried fruit, and caramel. It’s bottled at 13.5% ABV.

The winery’s notes describe an “amber-yellow, limpid” wine, “very complex, characterized by notes of dried apricot and dried fruits,” with “great structure and complexity,” “very persistent on the palate.” The importer adds “a distinctive bouquet of dried apricot and nuts with hints of balsamic” and “a long, full-bodied finish.” Wine Enthusiast scored it 90: “A coppery color aptly prefaces a salty, umami nose that features pungent aromas of toasted nuts, aged cheese, honey and citrus blossom. The palate brings more nuts and honey, along with notes of apple, toffee and milk chocolate, along with a dusting of orange zest.” James Suckling found “dried red dates with intense roasted nut aromas followed by a subtle smokiness,” calling it “luscious, concentrated, and powerful,” with “some development with nutty notes at the end,” and said to drink it now.

In the traditional Tuscan pairing, Vin Santo is served with almond cookies such as cantucci, for dunking. It’s also lovely with blue cheese, almond cakes, and sweet desserts, or on its own as an after-dinner glass. The 375ml half bottle is the right size for a dessert course for four to six people.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Fattoria di Grignano 2018 Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina is produced by Fattoria di Grignano in Pontassieve, in the Chianti Rufina subzone of Tuscany, Italy. It is 65% Malvasia del Chianti and 35% Trebbiano from certified-organic vineyards. The bunches are naturally air-dried for about three months in a well-ventilated room, gently pressed, and fermented and aged for five years in small oak caratelli of 50 to 225 liters. Sweet, bottled at 13.5% ABV, 375ml.

Critics Reviews

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points:
“A coppery color aptly prefaces a salty, umami nose that features pungent aromas of toasted nuts, aged cheese, honey and citrus blossom. The palate brings more nuts and honey, along with notes of apple, toffee and milk chocolate, along with a dusting of orange zest.”

James Suckling (August 2023):
“Dried red dates with intense roasted nut aromas followed by a subtle smokiness. Luscious, concentrated, and powerful. Shows some development with nutty notes at the end. Drink now.”

Fattoria di Grignano (official tasting notes):
“Amber-yellow, limpid, very complex, characterized by notes of dried apricot and dried fruits, great structure and complexity. Very persistent on the palate.”

Importer tasting notes:
“Brilliant amber color. Distinctive bouquet of dried apricot and nuts with hints of balsamic. Delightful palate and a long, full-bodied finish.”

Tasting Profile

Nose
Coppery amber. Toasted nuts, dried apricot, honey, citrus blossom, and aged cheese, with a hint of balsamic and subtle smoke.

Palate
Luscious and concentrated, with nuts, honey, apple, toffee, and milk chocolate, with a dusting of orange zest.

Finish
Long, full-bodied, and very persistent, with nutty notes.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Almond cookies and cantucci
• Almond-based cakes
• Blue cheese
• Sweet desserts

Serving Note

Serve slightly chilled, in small glasses, as a dessert wine.