The wine shows the distinctive Tuscan bouquet of a great Chianti Classico Riserva with notes of violet, cherry, and plum, and aromas of chocolate and spice. On the palate, the wine has well-defined structure and a generous, fruity core accented by hints of chocolate, cinnamon, and spicy hints of black pepper. Full bodied and well balanced, Riserva Ducale Oro's round tannins support a bright acidity and lead into a lengthy finish of plum, clove, and sweet tobacco.
80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Ruffino was founded in 1877 by two cousins, Ilario and Leopoldo, in order to sell and export Tuscan wines and olive oils. The cousins set up warehousing, cellars, and a distribution center at Pontassieve, a picturesque town 12 miles east of Florence on the Sieve River. Ilario and Leopoldo purchased raw local wines and produced a limited amount themselves. They cellared, finished, bottled, and sold all of these wines under the Ruffino name.