Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Classico Superiore 2020
Wine Description
Le Bignele's Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore takes the family's fresh Valpolicella from the Marano hills and referments it on the estate's own Amarone pomace, the traditional Veronese route to a deeper, warmer red. It then ages at least 18 months in 25 and 38 hectolitre oak casks, finishing at a balanced 14% with Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and a little Molinara in the blend.
The producer's notes speak of juicy ripe red fruits with woody spice and black pepper, and the palate bears it out: full, persistent and settled, with rounded tannins and no excess sweetness. The 2020 is in its stride now. Serve at 14 to 16 °C with grilled or roast red meats, game, dishes with black truffle or medium aged cheeses; in Venice it earns its place beside fegato alla veneziana. Half an hour of air ahead of dinner is time well spent.
Winery
Le Bignele is the Aldrighetti family farm above Valgatara in Marano di Valpolicella, on hills the family has worked since 1818. Nine hectares spread across Marano, Negrar and San Pietro in Cariano, with vines of 35 to 40 years on clay and limestone soils trained to the traditional pergola veronese. Luigi and his brother Angelo look after vineyard and cellar while the next generation, Nicola, Silvia and Cecilia, runs production and welcomes visitors. The wines stay close to the classic Valpolicella grammar: Valpolicella, Superiore, Ripasso, Amarone and a small Recioto.
