Our group was able to get the importer of Ruffino wines to sponsor a dinner so they could showcase their wines.
Ruffino Orvieto 2004 - Very dry and simple. No flavor. Not my type.
Ruffino Libaio Chardonnay 2004 - Lightly oaked? Light. Just OK alone. With food much better. Perfect with the salt cod marinated in the wine and stuffed into a pepper.
Ruffino Chianti Riserva Brown Label 2001 - Good nose. A little hollow. Medium bodied. Quite good.
Ruffino Chianti Riserva Ducale Oro 2000 - Ripe fruit. Quite dry. Long finish. Classy stuff.
Ruffino Modus IGT 2001 - 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot. Nose of violets. Very ripe, deep, smoky. Sophisticated and complex wine. Great stuff and best wine of the night for me.
Ruffino Brunello di Montalcino Greppone Mazzi 1999 - Violets on the nose. Sweet, ripe fruit. Has tannic grip. Seems to be shutting down somewhat. Needs more time but showing quite well.
One of our group claims to have some unpleasant reactions to Sangiovese so she had a Gaja Barbaresco 1993 - Soft in front, tannic finish. Faint nose. Very dry. This wine is fading fast. A disappointment in my opinion.
The Ruffino people seemed pleased enough at how the event turned out as they came away with some orders for the high end stuff.