Marchesi de Frescobaldi Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Riserva 2012 Wine Review

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Riserva 2012

Tuscany DOCG, Italy

Community Score:88/100

Community Reviews: 13

Add My Review

Price: $29.95

Drink: 2017-2023

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Frescobaldi

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 92/100

This gorgeous Chianti Reserva could benefits from more cellar time: it has so much potential, yet it's also ready to drink now. Aromas of black fruit, tar and smoke. The 2012 vintage was a strong one, and thus this wine has great aging potential. Decant 1 hour. Pair with grilled meats.

Chianti Rufina Riserva food pairings: grilled pork ribs, veal Parmigiano, spaghetti and meatballs.

Best Beef Wine

This Marchesi de Frescobaldi Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Riserva 2012 was reviewed on April 28, 2017 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2015 2013 2014 2011 2010

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
395186
$29.95
Check Stock

BCLDB
530741
$25.06
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Andrew Bernardo rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

I loved this wine. Well structured and well balanced, this wine has a lovely core of dark cherry and plum skin with fresh herbs, black licorice and mushrooms. This is ready to drink or hold up to 2025. 92 points. (www.ottawawinejournal.com)

Pamela Chiles rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Joyful nose of fresh red berries, charcoal, leather, herbal and savoury notes. Mouthwatering with soothing tannins. Very transporting - pairs well with maps and travel guides of Tuscany.

Trevor Sabourin - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

The lovely, complex nose on this is quite understated, and needs quite a bit of air. Once it opens up it offers dark plum, cherry, cinnamon, earth, vanilla, cedar, leather, violet, and smoked meat. Quite a dusty feel on the palate, with good flavour intensity, and additional hints of tobacco and white pepper. It probably needs a few years yet to show at its best, and for the tannins to soften up a bit. Tasted blind, Feb. 2016.

Jon Steeves - Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

This wine is deep ruby red and aromatic. On the nose, I found juicy red fruit, deep dark cherry fruit. On the palate, similar and a hint of savoury dried herb. Well-balanced, high acidity, and calls for food. Speaking of which, I'd recommend pairing with braised beef, spaghetti bolognese or an authentic lasagna. Tasted blind Feb 2016.

Monique Sosa - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

The Nipozzano Vecchie Viti is a consistent, smooth, food friendly treat with mild to moderate intensity cherry, sage, dried mint and earthy notes - and one of my go to Chiantis ;). The 2012 Rufina Riserva showcases a long minty anise finish. Enjoy this medium-bodied Chianti with beef arancini bathing in primavera tomato sauce. Tasted Jan 17 - @sommsosa | besoketastings.ca

Lori Kilmartin WSET3 - WSET3 Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

This is a young wine that could use a few more years of aging. Still a bit closed but showing good acidity and polished tannins with lots of fruit that will only get better in your cellar. Smoke, leather with earthy aromas. Ripe cherry and vanilla flavours. Long mouth watering finish. Buy now and put away for a few years.

Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Dried fruit and ripe cherries on the nose, leading to a rich palate with dried fruit, plums, vanilla, spices. Full-bodied, extra- dry and well-balanced, with a rich complex finish. Decant 1 hour, then savour with a rich meal.

Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Deep ruby, dark fruit nose with some candied fruit and spice. Somewhat sour edged cherry, berry fruit with medium body and some spice to go with the juicy acidity and fine grained tannins on a medium length finish. Tasted blind February 2016.

Melanie Aubert rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

This chianti shows black cherry, licorice, cocoa and vanilla on the nose, then reveals earthy, minerally, leathery and herbaceous components on the palate. Its grippy tannins and high acidity will make it a good match for beef stew or your standard lasagna.

David Skinner rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

Medium ruby colour. Plum and black licorice aromas. Medium body with soft tannins and medium acidity. Moderately intense and dominated by cherry flavours.

Nice with a simple pasta dish.

Adam Sommelier rated this wine as 82/100 with the following review:

Good old Nipozanno! They have been making this gem forever, it's not gonna blow your with complexity but it is honest like all Frescobaldi wine. Classic structure and acidity soft tannins with the cherry nose right up front. I don't know if I would pick this wine up myself at this price point, however this wine is a bench mark when it comes to Chianti. If you're Chianti fan you should try it at least once.

1 Member would buy this wine again

Neil Dennis

If you liked the Marchesi de Frescobaldi Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Riserva 2012, you might also like these wines:

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Marchesi de Frescobaldi Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Riserva 2012

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Marco & Vittorio Adriano Red Wine
Barbaresco 2019,
Piedmont D.O.C.G. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 335,039 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 335,039 strong:

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Riserva 2012 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings