Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Classico Superiore “Seccal” 2020

Seccal is the wine to hand someone who asks why ripasso exists. Nicolis ferments a classic Valpolicella from the family's vineyards in San Pietro in Cariano, then in late winter passes it over the still warm Amarone skins for eight days, a second, spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts that feeds the wine extra color, glycerol and dried fruit character. It then rests sixteen months in Slavonian oak barrels and four more in bottle before release.
The result sits exactly between Valpolicella's freshness and Amarone's depth: plum and morello cherry with a dried edge, sweet spice from the oak, a full but agile body and a long, gently warm finish. The 2020 is drinking now and will hold comfortably for several years. It is one of the most food friendly reds in the region: pastissada de caval if you want to be Veronese about it, otherwise duck ragù bigoli, roast pork or a plate of mature Asiago. Serve at 16 to 18 °C.