Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato SANT'EUFEMIA 2017

Luca Ferraris – Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato SANT’EUFEMIA 2017

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Light-bodied, beautifully aromatic and wonderfully elegant – a charming Piedmontese Ruchè with soft tannins and distinctive floral character!

Luca Ferraris SANT’EUFEMIA 2017 is a distinctive expression of Ruchè from Castagnole Monferrato, made from 100% Ruchè and named after the Sant’Eufemia vineyard area. It represents the more elegant and approachable side of Ferraris' Ruchè portfolio, combining the variety's naturally exotic floral perfume with the freshness and savoury character of the Monferrato hills.

Ruchè is one of Piedmont's rare indigenous varieties, rescued from near-obscurity in the 1960s through the work of Don Giacomo Cauda. Unlike the region's more famous Nebbiolo-based wines, Ruchè is celebrated for its intensely aromatic personality, supple tannins and remarkable drinkability.

The 2017 vintage was exceptionally warm and dry, producing ripe, expressive wines with generous fruit concentration. A contemporary tasting of SANT’EUFEMIA 2017 praised its elegant balance of floral aromas, red berries, savoury herbs and fine tannins.

Now nine years from harvest, this wine offers the opportunity to discover a mature interpretation of Ruchè, with the potential for additional dried-flower, herbal and savoury complexity, depending on bottle condition and storage.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Ruby red, potentially developing garnet reflections with bottle maturity.

Nose: An expressive bouquet of violets, rose petals, ripe cherries, raspberries and cranberries, complemented by black pepper, sage, dried herbs and subtle liquorice notes.

Palate: Dry, elegant and medium-bodied, with juicy red-fruit flavours, fine powdery tannins and a pleasantly savoury character. Notes of cherry, red berries, gentle spice and herbs lead towards a lingering, aromatic finish.

Style: Elegant, fragrant and relatively light on its feet, combining Ruchè's exotic floral perfume with fine tannins and an almost Pinot Noir-like delicacy.

Unlike Ferraris' more ambitious Opera Prima, which is designed for extended ageing, SANT’EUFEMIA focuses on the purity, perfume and natural character of Ruchè. Its predominantly stainless-steel maturation helps preserve the grape's expressive aromatics without the influence of heavy oak.

Awards & Wine Critic Ratings

91–93 Points (Taste Score) – Reverse Wine Snob, 2017 Vintage

Awarded a taste score equivalent to 91–93 points, with an overall value rating of 7.5/10 and a Recommended Buy designation. The review highlighted the wine's attractive cherry and herbal aromatics, freshness, balanced tannins and elegant drinking character.

Winemusing – Reviewed March 2019, 2017 Vintage

Praised for its remarkable combination of flavour intensity and elegance, with floral violets, black pepper, raspberry, cranberry, sage and fine tannins.

91 Points – Wine Enthusiast, 2023 Vintage

The same SANT’EUFEMIA wine received 91 points for its 2023 vintage, recognised for its vibrant red-fruit character, refreshing acidity and soft tannins.

90 Points & Best Buy – Wine Enthusiast, 2021 Vintage

Awarded 90 points and a Best Buy designation, highlighting the wine's expressive floral aromas, lively red fruit and fine tannins.

Note: The Wine Enthusiast scores refer to later vintages, not the 2017 bottle offered here.