In Italian, the name Amarone literally means "Great Bitter," and was actually coined in 1936 within the very cellars of the Villa Mosconi in reference to a wine the Bertani family had been producing under the name "Recioto Secco," (Dry Recioto) to distinguish from the much sweeter Veronese Recioto also produced using the "apassimento" technique. This Amarone is the most intense of the Tenuta Santa Maria wines, with its characteristic aromas and complexity. The wine is ruby red in color with garnet reflections, and the impact of cherry preserves, spices, and dried rose petals lend complexity and elegance to the nose. Warm and subtle on the palate, it presents an important structure and high alcohol content, balanced by velvety tannins and bright acidity and freshness.
Medium bright ruby red in colour with subtle brightening on the rim. Intense aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, plum, dried fig and candied orange on the nose, with a cinnamon and clove finish. Very fruit driven on the palate, velvety, juicy and balanced, with grippy tannins and a fruity finish.
With headquarters at Arbizzano near the bottom of the Negrar valley, the Bertani family produce a wide range of Veronese reds from the walled vineyards surrounding the magnificent, neoclassical, 18th century Villa Mosconi. Their Amarone is made as a Riserva, with five years of oak ageing. The wine shows a ripe and chocolatey nose of surprising freshness, and the palate lives up to this initial promise: balanced and firm with juicy fruit flavours. Plenty of life left ahead of it.
The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva is youthfully understated, wafting up with a nuanced blend of dried black cherries, incense and spice. This flows across the palate with silky textures and ripe red and blue fruits as zesty acidity adds energy, and masses of bitter dark chocolate emerge toward the close. Remarkably fresh all the way through, this finishes long, staining and pleasantly tense, with a coating of fine tannins.
The darkly alluring 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva smolders up from the glass with a smoky mix of peppery florals, dried black cherries and dried citrus peels. This is silky in texture, with cooling acidity and mineral tones that perfectly set the stage for a spicy core of dark red fruits. The 2016 leaves a coating of fine tannins lingering. Dark chocolate nuances blend with blood orange through the dramatically long and classically structured finale. This is a wonderfully complete Amarone. All the 2016 needs is more time in the cellar to blossom fully.
Sweet violets and roses give way to black cherries, balsamic spices and white smoke as the incredibly pretty 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva blossoms in the glass. This is an undeniably elegant and refined style, casting a polished display of licorice-tinged blackberries and savory herbs across a core of brisk acidity. The resulting expression is quite savory, tapering off long with building tannic tension that grows with each sip. Rich notes of mocha contrast fresh mint and salty minerals, as this finishes impossibly long with an umami feel. The 2015 gets an official “wow” in my book.
Fresh and spicy nose of dried berries and flowers with sandalwood and cedar. Full-bodied, yet very dry and racy, with firm tannins. Racy and long. Dried dark chocolate. Walnut, too. Real Amarone character. Drink or hold.
Bright ruby-red. Slightly reductive on the nose, followed by dried tomatoes, slight savoury tones as well as red berries. On the palate very juicy and with compact, tight tannins, unfurling beautiful savoury tones, and fruit. An elegant character with great length.
The Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva is a long, polished and flowing wine that offers lots of aromatic detail. At first, it shows plenty of ripe blackberry and Morello cherry, with the baked aromas you can expect of a hot and sunny vintage such as 2015. Then, you get toasted spice, tar and licorice. In terms of Amarone, which is almost always an exceedingly full-bodied wine, this expression is slightly more slender and accessible. It has plenty of power though, with 16% alcohol, which is contained within the solid frame of this northern Italian red. The blend is 75% Corvina, 15% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella. Production is 12,000 bottles.
A subtle Amarone, with supple tannins providing gentle definition for flavors of baked cherry, dates and accents of spiced orange peel and medicinal herbs. A touch of loamy earth lingers on the chewy finish. Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella. Drink now through 2025. 2,083 cases made, 1,040 cases imported.
Ripe to the nose, it highlights the character of withering with sweet notes of strawberries, dried red plums and sweet almonds. Full body, soft tannins and an enveloping finish. Drink now.
This ruby red wine has garnet reflections on the body. The notes of preserved cherry, spices and dried rose petal add complexity and elegance to this wine. The palate has refreshing warmth and subtlety. It is well-structured and and reflects hogh alcohol content. All in one, it's a perfect wine, well- balanced by tannins and elegant and refreshing acidity. Received the Gold Medal.
The wine has a ruby red color with garnet reflections. The impact of preserved cherry, spices, and dried rose petal lend complexity and elegance to the nose. To the palate, it has warmth and subtlety, well-structured and with a high alcohol content, balanced by velvety tannins and an elegant acidity and freshness.
Lovely complex nose of plums, liquorice, cherry brandy, subtle leather, tobacco and spice.Lush and velvety tannins on the palate, with sweet cherries, cloves and nutmeg, this is round and generous with a beautiful length.
The 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva manages to deliver all of the richness, opulence and dark intense fruit that you’d hope for, in an unbelievably vibrant and pretty expression. Blackberries, currants, cinnamon, clove, cedar and mocha create an initially intense burst of aromatics. Hints of stone dust and dried roses evolve in the glass, adding further depth yet also freshness over time. The textures here are elegance personified, as wave after wave of silken ripe red fruits and spices washes across the palate, all guided by juicy acids that create a pure and high-energy expression. Notions of tart cherry, licorice, bitters and baker’s chocolate linger for well over a minute. Amarone is often called a wine of meditation, and the 2013 fits that bill perfectly.
The dried fruit and spices, as well as figs, are very persuasive and attractive. Full body. Round and soft tannins with delicious fruit and a savory, fruity finish. All in reserve and balance. Drink now or hold.
Dark garnet, starting to mature. Distinguished, creamy, finely spiced nose, touches of animal, eau-de-vie and overripe fruit (figs, plums). Structured, dense and expansive on the palate, revealing great depth and an exotic side. Sumptuous, classical.
Received the rating of Silver Medal for extraordinary wines.
Dark garnet red. Showing a bouquet of dried cherries and plums and Christmas cake spice that are mirrored on the palate, the 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva is of medium weight with a tart edge that reflects the cool wet autumn weather of the vintage. A blend of 75% Corvina. 10% Rondinella, 15% Corvinone dried 4-5 months before pressing and fermentation then matured 5 years in large botti.
The 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva opens to a dark garnet color with crimson background tones. This is a powerful, full-bodied red with aromas of sour cherry, red currant and dried cranberry. The blend is 75% Corvina, 15% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella, and this Riserva ages in large oaks casks ofr four years. There is a sour note to this vintage that creates a sudden contrast to the background sweetness you usually get with Amarone, making it a good bet for Korean meat dishes or moo shu beef. Some 26,000 bottles were made, including magnums and other large formats.
This opens with aromas of violet, cooking spices and underbrush. The firm, brawny palate shows dried black cherry, star anise and black pepper alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2027. Indigenous Selections.
A bright and fresh Amarone della Valpolicella, with an expressive cherry fruit and floral note on the nose. Clean and balanced with an elegant texture and good length. Highly recommended.
Intense, bright ruby red. Elegant nose of ripe raspberries, forest fruits, slightly after leather. Balanced on the palate with elegant acidity and fine enamel, looks very delicate and fresh, at the same time still young, ends clearly and full of finesse in the finale.
Deep ruby. The nose shows young perfumes of stewed black fruits and fine herbs. The palate is fleshy and firm with tightly-wound, elegant tannins. An age-worthy, generous wine all-poised for a great future. Will reach its peak in a few year's time.
Red and black fruit nose; the palate is silky, lively and fresh with a long, toasty-vanilla finish. This is a classy style.
An elegant Amarone, well-balanced and medium- to full-bodied, featuring fine tannins that provide light tension to the flavors of crushed cherry and dried fig, showing hints of loamy earth, licorice and dried thyme. Round and lingering, with a spiced finish. Drink now through 2025.
Pressed violet, allspice, baked plum and cake spice aromas lead the nose. The densely concentrated palate offers dried black cherry, star anise, clove and tobacco alongside firm, refined tannins. Drink 2019–2026.
The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva shows the elegance and understated nature of the vintage through a refined display of spiced black cherries, plum sauce, cacao, lavender and sweet violets. This impresses with its soft and silky textures, coming across as feminine and poised, with tart wild berries and dark chocolate finding a cooling balance with bright acidity. The finish is slightly shorter than I’d prefer, yet it’s enjoyable all the same, with mineral underpinnings and dark inner florals.
A linear and tight red with a dried-berry , citrus and berry character. Medium body, juicy fruit and light dry tannins. Drink now.
Pressed rose, violet, forest floor, baked plum and cake spice aromas emerge on this full-bodied red. The concentrated palate also has finesse, offering dried cherry, licorice, cinnamon and pipe tobacco framed in fresh acidity and back of firm but refined tannins. Drink 2017-2025.
Fermentation and long refinement in oak barriques of 50% of the must yields a Chardonnay that is particularly elegant and complex, with a notable balance between freshness and sapidity. Delicate perfumes of vanilla scents fade into more exotic aromas of pineapple, banana and citrus, finishing with hazelnuts and melted butter. This is a Chardonnay of great character that expresses the particular terroir of the Illasi Valley, especially adapted to white grape varieties.
Complex aromas of golden berries, pears, ripe nectarines and dried flowers. Medium-bodied palate with white peach and brioche flavors. Balanced, long finish. Focused chard.
Pleasant chardonnay with apple, pineapple, lemon and pie-crust character. Medium body with a fresh, clean-cut finish. All in place. Drink now.
This is a delicious chardonnay with lots of cooked-apple, lemon and pear character. Full body, bright acidity and a clean, fresh finish. Hints of smoke and toasted oak. Drink now.
Candied grapefruit and lemon notes, as well as nice creaminess on the palate. A long, silky finish, making this a very Northern Italian chardonnay. Drink now or in 2019 and 2020.
This is a rich and intense wine, apparent immediately by its ruby red color. Soft tannins, well-balanced acidity and consistency are complimented by enchanting hints of wild berries and dried plums, accompanied by notes of coffee, eucalyptus and vanilla. This is a well-structured Merlot, expressing typical qualities of the variety, but also the unique character given by a partial “appassimento” for a portion of the grapes, typical of the region and style of the winery.
Intense dark ruby red with purple reflections. Intense aromas of ripe cherries and plums on the nose with dark chocolate, liquorice and a hint of vanilla. Fresh and juicy on the palate, with very grippy tannins that still appear somewhat youthful.
A decent merlot from part fresh and part dried grapes, showing notes of ripe red fruit, herbs and oak from the aging in barriques. The tannins are well-integrated and the overall impression is of a wine that’s been curated well.
Very mature on the nose it tells notes of red plums, pine needles and toasted hazelnuts. Medium body, slightly dry tannins and a finish that lacks juiciness. Drink now.
The 2011 Decima Aurea is surprisingly elegant and poised, especially considering the ripe vintage. A mix of savory exotic spice and white smoke gives way to ripe blackberry and plums and a refreshing hint of mint leaf. It’s silky and polished, gaining tactile grip as tart red and black berries mix with salty minerals, while tannins mount toward the close. The length here is admirable, and there’s beautiful symmetry as well, staining the palate in concentrated dark fruits while flexing its youthful structure. The 2011 needs a few more years to come into focus, but it should drink beautifully for a decade or more thereafter. This single-vineyard, varietal Merlot undergoes partial appassimento and is then refined in French oak for 14 months prior to bottling.
The opaque 100% Merlot from a 30 year old, single vineyard is our favorite of the Tenuta Santa Maria wines. It’s a complex wine with a multifaceted bouquet of dried plum, licorice, slate and tobacco. The mouth feel is silky with layers of savory blackberry, underbrush and mineral-like flavors with a firm structure and a super-persistent, rich finish. Made with a partial appassimento of the grapes and matured in barrel for 14 months.
The 2010 Decima Aurea Merlot is absolutely gorgeous, presenting a deeply alluring display of crushed blueberries and blackberries complemented by mint leaf, candied ginger and hints of vanilla bean. Its textures are like pure silk, enlivened by bright acidity with a mix of tart fruit and spice coating all that it touches, while leaving a saturation of round tannin that frames the expression perfectly. This is pleasurable from start to finish, tapering off structured yet fresh, hints of licorice and violets lingering on. The Decima Aurea is produced through two separate harvests, the first at ideal ripeness and left to air-dry for one month, and the second harvest a few weeks later. The two harvests are macerated and fermented separately but then blended and matured for 14 months in barriques.
A decadent merlot with notes of dried strawberries, dried flowers and tobacco leaves. There is lot of evolution here. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a smooth finish. There is still tension though. Drink now.
Produced from the typical white Veronese Garganega grape and cultivated with low yields, this Soave presents a complex bouquet of exotic fruits, pears, peaches, herbs and almonds with a generous minerality and hints of toasted vanilla. A pleasant surprise to the palate, rich and compact in the mouth while sustained by fresh acidity and persistence. The variety’s distinct flavor intensifies the softness of the wine.
Bright straw yellow with green-gold reflections. Open with notes of citrus and meadow flowers. Vivid with coconcetrated fruit. Juicy and fresh until the lingering finish.
Notes of pear and some white melon, on the nose. Nice play on the palate, sweet fruity fullness, spreads well, salty in the finish.
Aromas of white stone fruit, peach peel and almond. Medium-bodied with notes of peach and nectarine on the palate. A hint of tangerine sweetness on the finish.
A fresh and crisp Soave that shows sliced apples, pears and a hint of white almond. Bright acidity cleanses the palate before a pithy and refreshing finish.
Intriguing nose of lemon sherbert and nougat that turns more spritzy on the medium-bodied palate, over a base of mineral and nutty spice. Interesting white. Drink now.
Rich and complex in the glass it offers fatty notes reminiscent of butter, white chocolate and withered flowers. Medium body, simple structure and a luminous finish. Drink now.
Cooked apples, preserved lemons and waxy orange peel. Medium-bodied and fruity with pretty, pear-drop character and some subtle acidity crunch. Drink now.
Smoky aromas, as well as violets, lemons and some slate. Medium body, bright acidity and a clean finish. Drink now.
Recioto is a sweet wine typical of the Vapolicella area (near Verona) boasting centuries of history, widely considered the father of Amarone. Produced with grapes that have been left to dry (appassire) in order to concentrate the sugars, the result is a unique and opulent wine that pairs ideally with dry pastries (almond or hazelnut cakes), aged cheeses or sweet gorgonzola, but is also captivating as an after-dinner meditation wine. Tenuta Santa Maria Recioto della Valpolicella Classico entices immediately with its ruby red color and garnet reflections. Sweet aromas of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry combine with earthy notes of undergrowth and wet soil to complete the aromatic profile while, on the palate, the wine’s full and opulent nature merges with a pleasant and balanced sweetness. The finish is long with delicious floral and spicy notes enveloped in velvety and elegant tannins.
A dusting of cocoa gives way to candle wax, sage and blueberry sauce as the 2020 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico opens in the glass. This is silky smooth and opulent in feel, with masses of ultra-ripe wild berry fruits and hints of mocha that envelop the palate. Cinnamon and clove come together with spiced blood orange and dark chocolate through the dramatically long yet remarkably fresh finale.
A delicious, sweet and spicy concoction, offering an array of dried and exotic fruit aromas and flavors, such as dates and prunes, together with syrupy notes. Full-bodied and intense. There’s some tannin there, but it can’t compete with the full-on fruit-syrup flavors. You can’t help but like it. Hard not to drink. Enjoy now or hold and see.
Bright dark ruby with a slight garnet edge. Opens with notes of caramelised sugar, dried tomatoes and chutney of red Tropea onions. Grippy tannin on the palate, shows nice interplay, seems almost dry, lots of drive in the finish.
This IGT wine is a fruity, spicy blend of a traditional Veronese variety, Corvina, and international grapes, Merlot and Syrah. The Pràgal opens with an enchanting bouquet of red fruit preserves, dried roses and black cherries alternating with subtler tones of dark spice, tobacco and black pepper. The addition of partially dried grapes (Corvina) lends soft tannins balanced with bright acidity; this wine charms with great structure and persistence.
Medium ruby red with a brightening rim. Ripe plums and cherries, cinnamon, black pepper and tobacco on the nose with red rose petals in the background. A clear fruit driven core on the palate, grippy tannins and a dark fruit finish.
Berry jam and spicy notes to this tasty blend of both fresh and partially dried corvina, merlot and syrah. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins, good acidity and a fresh, more savory finish. Very Veneto and very quaffable. Enjoy now.
A very typical Veneto-style red with aromas and flavors of spicy red berries and a hint of potpourri. Medium-bodied with a silky mouthfeel and growing intensity on the palate, though all remains under control. Pleasant, bright and spicy finish.
Aromas of redcurrants with nutty oak, floral and mineral notes, following through to a medium-bodied palate where it all blends in nicely, giving a good bead of fruit and lightly firm, fine-grained tannins. Nicely structured and layered. Long, fresh fruit and mineral finish. Enjoy now.
Spicy and rich in the sensory profile, it shows hints of red plums, burnt orange peel and dried marjoram. Good body, complex structure and a crunchy finish. Drink now.
A fresh, fruity wine on the nose with plum and violet aromas that follow through to a medium body, firm, silky tannins and a racy, refined finish. Savory. Corvina, merlot and syrah. Attractive, but needs a year or two to soften.
This is a fresh and firm red with lovely perfume and dark berries on the nose. Fresh and linear fruit and tannins on the palate. Lovely, racy and clean wine. Drink now.
This shows aromas of dark berries, earth and mushrooms. Medium body, round and polished tannins and a lively finish. Delicious now. Why wait?
This is a traditional Valpolicella, representative of the region and Bertani family tradition. The “Classico” designation refers to the areas where the very first Valpolicella vineyards were planted – on quality hillside sites, yielding the best fruit and therefore best wines. Typical aromas of fruit (blueberry, cherry) are accented by spicy notes of cinnamon and pepper. The palate is soft, fruity and warm with structured tannins, balanced with a pleasant acidity and a long finish.
Medium ruby red with garnet reflections and a brightening rim. Intense aroma of ripe cherries, strawberries and raspberries on the nose with light spice. Very straightforward on the palate, with a fruit driven core and grippy tannins.
Plums and nutty spice on the nose, together with notes of pressed flowers, following through to a tasty, medium-bodied palate with a lightly firm tannin grip, but persistent fruit pushing through the finish. Nicely done. Drink now.
The 2021 Valpolicella Classico Superiore is remarkably pretty, with a cascade of rosy florals and confectionary spices accentuating crushed blackberries. This is soft and round in feel, with juicy acidity and crisp red and blue fruits complicated by a tinge of white pepper. The 2021 finishes notably fresh yet potent and long, leaving hints of crunchy raspberry and suggestions of black tea. What a beauty.
The 2020 Valpolicella Classico Superiore wafts up with unprecedented freshness as an herbal twang gives way to wild strawberries and zesty citrus tones. It's silky-smooth with a balanced inner sweetness complicated by tangy red fruits and mineral tones. A peppery flourish comes through as this finishes fresh yet still potent, leaving lingering raspberry hints.
Rich, flint ruby with a garnet rim. Exciting and inviting nose, notes of ripe raspberry, cherry and blackberry, some dried tomatoes. Pithy, savoury tannin on the palate, unfolds straightforwardly, firm drive on the finish.
Aromas of cherries and raspberries, dried flowers, chocolate, cedar and dry earth. Medium-bodied with round texture and dusty tannins. Ripe and velvety with a flavorful, slightly salty finish. Drink now.
The 2019 Valpolicella Classico Superiore pulls you to the earth with its smoky mix of peppery herbs, flowery undergrowth and crushed wild berries. It's silky-smooth with an enveloping wave of mineral-tinged raspeberry that gives way to a captivating air of lavender and violets. This leaves the palate refreshed through the long yet lifted finale. The 2019 is, yet again, another killer Valpolicella from Tenuta Santa Maria.
Intriguing, quite heady nose, offering strawberry jam, matcha tea and hints of hazelnuts and something like grated parmesan. Full-bodied with a silky start, then firm tannins appear, coated with a mix of sugar-cane and savory elements that linger in the mouth. Lots going on here. Drink or hold.
The 2018 Valpolicella Classico Superiore is wildly spicy with a sour citrus twang contrasting rich cherry-berry fruits. It’s a juicy, high-energy effort, with vibrant shades of red offset by tactile minerality and brisk acids. Long and full of character, this leans more toward blue and purple fruits throughout the finale. There's a lot of pleasure to be found in the 2018 Valpolicella from Tenuta Santa Maria, and it's a great value as well.
Extremely ripe on the nose with sweet notes of strawberries, vanilla and toasted pine nuts. Medium-full body, slightly biting tannins and a warm and enveloping finish. Sweet. Drink now.
The Bertani family can trace its roots in Negrar, the heart of the Classico zone, back to the 15th century. Grapes are hand harvested; the wine spends 12 months in large oak casks so that classic red forest fruits and silky tannins can develop. On the nose, it has soft, ripe red fruits, while the well-balanced palate displays ripe plum and pomegranate and a hint of spice. Stunning juicy core, round tannins and an elegant finish.
Spicy and dark fruit on the nose. Wet earth, as well as sweet fruit and orange peel. Medium body. Firm, silky tannins and flavorful finish. Shows focus and brightness. Drink now.
Ruby red. Ripe red and dark red cherry aromas with spice notes. This is a rich wine showing fresh, ripe flavors. It has a dense, chewy mouth feel, excellent persistence and a lingering savory note. A blend of 75% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, and 15% Corvinone sourced from estate vineyards in Arbizzano di Negrar with a long maceration and fermentation and matured 12 months in large, traditional botti.
This opens with aromas of black-skinned berry, leather and underbrush. The elegantly structured palate offers black cherry, tobacco and white peper alonside fresh acidity and supple tannins. Enjoy through 2023.
Aromas of spices, such as cloves, as well as red peppers and underlying fruit. Medium-bodied, linear and tight with lovely tension and length. Drink now.
Beautiful clear garnet. Appealing nose of peony and stone fruits with elegant herbal undertones. Silky, ample, compelling mouthfeel. Extremely precise palate with charming, chiseled aromas that are not very open yet but show obvious quality. Superb.
The "Ripasso" (passed again) method was first introduced in the 1850's and involves a secondary extended maceration and fermentation over Amarone grape skins. The process gives the wine greater complexity, a superior structure, bolder and softer body and an intense ruby red color. Though reminiscent of the more concentrated, dense Amarone wine, Valpolicella Ripasso is a younger, fresher expression. Tenuta Santa Maria continues the family tradition, producing a wine that is a true expression of the region's indigenous Corvina, Rondinella and Corvinone grapes - elegant yet complex with warm, structured tannins, balanced acidity and rich fruit.
Aromas of freshly picked cherries warming in the sun dusted with sweet baking spices and subtle hints of earth define the nose of this wine. Soft and easy on the palate with a freshness due to the mouthwatering acidity, keeps the lush fruit in balance as the more savoy notes of tobacco, dried herbs and savory spice find room to develop. Elegant and lifted on the finish.
Tightly packed aromas and flavors of plums, raspberries and strawberries on a firm, medium-bodied palate with very fine tannins and a tight finish. Structured and tight. Drinkable now, but will open up a bit with a year or so in bottle. Try from 2025.
The 2020 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso is deeply floral, with hints of lavender and wet stone complicating its wild blueberry fruit. This washes across the palate with juicy waves of ripe wild berries and tactile mineral tones, as hints of citrusy spice collect toward the close. It finishes with admirable length, leaving a tart currant concentration and gently grippy tannins to resonate.
Nice nose of plums and damsons with dried flowers, spice and clay-like minerals. Medium- to full-bodied with an intense bead of spicy plum fruit and fine, lightly abrasive tannins. Fruity and structured. Drinkable now, but will continue to improve in the bottle.
Creamy wild strawberries and raspberries on the nose, held tight by a light, oaky note. Medium-to full-bodied with some tight, firm tannin that exerts the same kind of restraint on the juicy fruit. This is quite a complex wine that’s delicious now, but will continue to improve. Drink or hold.
Extremely ripe on the nose with notes of red plums, rose petals, Williams pears and pressed white flowers. Full body, slightly dry tannins and a broad and voluminous finish. Drink now.
The 2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso is dark and rich in the glass, displaying crushed cherries contrasted but also complemented by sour citrus with hints of dark chocolate and clove. It’s soft and deeply textural, delivering masses of ripe red and black fruits that coat the entire palate, cleansed by brisk acids that leave nuances of sweet spice, licorice and bitter herbs toward the close. For all of its opulence and structure, this is remarkably fresh through the finale, not quite revealing all of its charms today. Coming from someone who is not often fully convinced by the Ripasso category, this is some pretty serious juice.
The 2017 Ripasso has the heady richness of dark cherries in liqueur. Although the wine is fermented dry, it’s syrup-like on the palate with flavors of dark cherry pie. Overall, the wine is well balanced with good acidity and plenty of flavor. Would pair well with barbecued ribs. The grapes are crushed, cold pressed and fermented and about 3 months later poured over the mark left by the Amarone resulting in a second fermentation. Matured 24 months in oak barrels.
Creamy tannins are enmeshed with flavors of baked cherry, date, dried thyme and espresso crema in this well-knit, medium- to full-bodied red. Floral, spice and tangy mineral notes play on the lingering finish. Drink now through 2027. 5,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.
With notes reminiscent of the Amarone, the wine is a vivid ruby red color. At the nose, intense hints of cherry, blueberry, licorice and lingering accents of cinnamon and pepper. At the palate, soft and warm structured velvet tannins and a very balanced acidity. Long finish with fruity sensations.
Deep garnet, amber rim. Engaging nose mixing vegetal and floral notes, delicate spices and red fruits. Sweet attack, concentrated, velvety, inviting palate with a splendid panoply of emerging flavours, eau-de-vie, jam.... A great ripasso.
A balance, refined Valpolicella with a lovely, dusty texture to the tannins and ripe and juicy fruit flavors. Plenty of plum and berry character underneath it all. Drink or hold.
Aromas of ripe black-skinned berry, porcini mushroom and cooking spice lead the way. The dense palate offers prune, licorice and a touch of cinnamon alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy through 2022.
Beautiful ruby. Perfumed nose of ripe black fruits and new leather. The palate displays real fine, velvety fullness with polished tannins. Boasts impeccable balance combining a fruit dimension and assertive structure. Complex and very stylish.
This red shows cherries, caramel and hazelnuts. Tobacco, too. Medium body, velvety tannins and a crispy finish. I like the texture here. Drink now.
