Bertani, a name synonymous with Amarone’s brings you this Ripasso Valpolicella. A Ripasso is considered a ‘baby Amarone’ given its juice is passed over the skins of Amarone grapes, adding richness with increased depth and complexity while still retaining the freshness and vibrancy, so characteristic of Valpolicella. This is an excellent example.
This is a blend of 80% Corvina Veronese, 15% Rondinella, and 5% Merlot with the vines grown soil dominated by white limestone (calcium carbonate) and red limestone soils (Iron and Manganese) with an average age of 15–20-year-old vines.
Andrea Lonardi, their winemaker oversees every step of the process with first fermentation in steel tanks with a second fermentation allowing the juice to pass over Recioto wine skins, before nine months of aging in French oak barrels and three months of bottle aging before its released.
The nose exudes aromas of ripe red fruits- cherries, plums, red currents, dried herbs and just a hint of dark chocolate.
The palate is the star of the event with a rich, plush mouthfeel, with intertwined layers of dark cherries, raspberries, red currents, plums, dried herbs, and spices, with traces of dark chocolate. This is framed by fine grain, polished tannins, bright acidity and just a hint of sweetness. There is a restrained elegance underpinning everything that makes this a wine to enjoy, especially over the next 10 years, out to 2035, if your patient enough.
Food pairings should include Salmon, Pork chops from the grill, and spicy Italian Chicken sausages from the grill, Mushroom Risotto, Pasta and meatballs/meat sauce, Chicken Cacciatore, and Herb Roasted Turkey. This is a very food versatile wine so experiment.
Vine to Table 