Bellini Chianti
Tuscan Sangiovese from Rufina, poured in Commack for decades.
The story behind Bellini
Cantine Bellini traces its commercial wine distribution back to 1880, when the Bellini family first moved barrels through Tuscany. The cellars sit in Pelago, in the province of Florence, inside the Chianti Rufina zone, the highest and smallest of the seven sub-zones of the Chianti DOCG. Vineyards climb 300 to 400 meters on sandy limestone hills, and that elevation drives the cool nights that keep Sangiovese sharp and structured.
The house blends roughly 90 percent Sangiovese with Colorino and Canaiolo, hand harvests, and macerates about 18 days before full malolactic. Aging runs from 12 months in large 45 hectoliter French oak barrels down to steel and concrete for the fresher tiers. James Suckling has scored recent Rufina and Riserva vintages in the 85 to 90 point range.
Explore the Bellini range
Three expressions, one grape, one hill town. Bellini runs from an easy Sangiovese to the Rufina Riserva, and the price steps are small.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellini Sangiovese 750mL | Toscana IGT red | 12.5% ABV | Bright cherry, soft tannin, everyday table red |
| Bellini Chianti 750mL | Chianti DOCG | 12.5% ABV | Sangiovese with Colorino, dry, high acid |
| Bellini Chianti Rufina Ris 750mL | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG | 12.5% ABV | Oak aged, spice, licorice, cacao, firmer tannin |
| Bellini Chianti 1.5L fiasco | Chianti DOCG, straw flask | 12.5% ABV | Same wine, classic straw wrap, casual table format |
| Bellini Chianti Rufina | Chianti Rufina DOCG | 12.5% ABV | Hilltop fruit, cool vintage acidity, red cherry |
| Bellini Riserva, older vintages | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG | 12.5% ABV | Extended barrel time, dried herb, leather edge |
Which Bellini is right for you?
Bellini is priced like the house wine it is, and that is the point. The Sangiovese 750mL runs $10.98, the Chianti 750mL $11.98, and the Chianti Rufina Riserva 750mL $16.98. You can put a dry Tuscan red on the table any night of the week for under twelve dollars, then step up to the Riserva when the ragù has been going since noon. For a case buy, the entry Chianti is the one to stack. Buy Bellini Chianti online and we will have it ready at the counter.
Dry, high acid, twelve dollars, cuts straight through tomato and pork ragù.
Oak and licorice hold up to grilled meat; breathe it twenty minutes first.
Soft cherry red for salami, pizza, and a crowd that is not taking notes.