“…2007 is shaping up to be another potentially outstanding vintage…Tuscany offers a huge number of delicious wines in 2007 that can be had for relatively modest sums.”—The Wine Advocate

You can’t help but feel like you’ve discovered something special when opening a bottle of Villa Ritina.

It was certainly our first thought as we sat on a sun-filled deck, soaking in the amazing panorama of Tuscany’s rolling hills—some of Chianti’s finest vineyards, to be sure—around us. With neighbors such as Monsanto, Castello della Paneretta and Isola e Olena, what more could a Sangiovese fan want?

To be sure, Villa Ritina is no fan of “international” varieties, and certainly needs no help in making wonderfully alive and vibrant Chianti that both coats the palate and invigorates the soul. Sangiovese here is king, as it should be—concentrated and savory red fruits are whipped together with a dazzling freshness, a stimulating, juicy spark of Sangiovese purity in every bottle.

For years we found ourselves uninspired with Chianti Classico—so much of it good, but not heart-stoppingly great—until we found this amazing hidden valley and knew that here was the mother lode of what truly great Sangiovese was capable.

As with its neighbors, Villa Ritina’s secret is its excellent terroir. High-altitude vineyards nurture older vines on soils that are unique to these mist-covered hills. A mix of rock and clay translates into wines ribboned with silk and satin, voluptuous flavors and an almost chocolaty richness—full-bodied and full-blooded Sangiovese that does not quit, from perfume to pomegranate-lined finish.