2014 Ruffino Modus Toscana IGT

Community Tasting Note

Likes this wine:

90 Points

Saturday, January 8, 2022 - Dense, dark black cherry color with the dusty and fragrant 50% Sangiovese commanding the upper level of the nose with the 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot sweetly lurking in the lower depths.
The tannins are still demonstrable, supporting a medium viscosity, smooth and supple mouthfeel, that allows for the small Cabernet berries to punch through the larger and softening sojourners in this blend. The wine’s Italian etiology is assured on the palate with perceived citrus notes in the complementary acidity.
After a modicum of time this wine has begun to loosen, relinquishing more bouquet and flavor notes with air time in the glass, and is a delicious complement to a dinner of my wife’s Ratatouille. Delicious.

Update December 3, 2022. A second bottle of the 2014 Modus tonight. I either previously read the varietal percentage breakdown incorrectly on the back label, or perhaps a glass or two of wine and an old optical prescription was responsible for the misrepresentation. Regardless, this bottle states it is comprised of 34% Sangiovese, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 33% Merlot.
The color is opaque and consistent with the previous bottle. The initial nose has that same dusty, warm evening Southern honeysuckle sweet aroma of dark blue-black fruit (my wife tastes cherry). This bottle’s olfactory balance of varietal players is more integrated and symbiotic, than the previous one, with the Sangiovese contributing a more muted role in the nose.
The luscious medium +, viscous mouthfeel is classic Italian, however, this time with the Sangiovese flavor is more present, equally, softly and sweetly encircled by the other two varietals. The tannins are pleasantly present, and along with the acidity, are supportive of the smooth and silky delivery of delicious fruit to the finish and beyond.
I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the vintages of Modus that resided in our cellar. I would have to refer to this wine as being the affordable and easily approachable Super Tuscan. Score for this bottle is a resounding 93.
As one Orthopeadic Surgeon I scrubbed in with used to say at the closing after a procedure, “What’s not to like.”

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