Ruffino Alauda 2021

This red wine is from Italy, specifically from the Toscana IGT region in Tuscany. Ruffino was established in 1877 and has grown into a renowned winery with a rich history of blending traditional and modern techniques. Alauda, first introduced in 2011, represents the pinnacle of the estate's artisanal style and is produced in limited quantities from the Poggio Casciano and Montemasso estates.

Wine Description

The 2021 Ruffino Alauda is an inscrutable, dense red with scarlet highlights. The aroma is sumptuous, featuring ripe red fruits, blackberry jam tart, and Mediterranean botanicals, followed by complex notes of vanilla, toasted cedar, and burnt spices. On the palate, it is full bodied and opulent with embroidered tannins and a rich core of succulent berry fruit, plum, and dark chocolate. The wine exhibits a firm tannin frame and a long, brackish finish with an intriguing umami touch. This blend consists of 47% Cabernet Franc, 41% Merlot, and 12% Colorino. It was aged for 24 months in French barriques followed by four months in stainless steel. The ABV is 15.5%, and the optimal drinking window is between 2026 and 2035.

Accolades

• Wine Spectator - 93 points.

• Decanter World Wine Awards - 92 points.

• Luca Maroni - 97 points.

Food Pairing

This full bodied wine pairs excellently with elegant Italian dishes and hearty, spice rich sauces. Specific recommendations include Bistecca Fiorentina, tortelli with duck sauce, risotto with sausage, and lamb shoulder. It also complements rich aged or peppered cheeses.

Vintage Quality

The 2021 vintage in Tuscany began with a mild and wet winter, leading into a growing season that is generally considered very high in quality. Early assessments highlight the vintage's precision and consistency, with many producers successfully achieving deep fruit concentration and balanced acidity.