Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore Corvina Blend

Coffee and pepper and berry.

brine, oceany, tones of bandaid, hint of moldy notes, menthol

Tasty; ripe fruit with baking spices, herbs, and subtle dried fruit

15.5/20 (88/100)

Чуть алкогольно, черные ягоды, немного ментола, сухое дерево. Не сложно, достаточно ягодно.

Good quality. Fresh and soft fruits with raisin and herbs. Needs pork or beef

Really balanced wine

Speri, Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2023, Veneto, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Produced by the historic family estate Speri in the heart of Valpolicella Classico, this Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore follows the traditional ripasso technique, where Valpolicella wine is refermented on the leftover skins of Amarone or Recioto grapes. The blend typically consists of Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, which gain additional body, color, and flavor from this second fermentation. Often referred to as a “baby Amarone,” Ripasso bridges the gap between fresh Valpolicella and the richer Amarone style.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright red cherry, ripe raspberry, and baked plum dominate the nose, accompanied by subtle hints of dried fruit, cocoa, and sweet spice. The fruit expression leans toward the riper and juicier side, giving the wine a jammy and fruit-forward character.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with approachable tannins and lively acidity, the wine feels youthful, vibrant, and easy-drinking. The texture is smooth and juicy with a slightly richer weight than basic Valpolicella, yet still lighter and more casual compared with the estate’s Amarone bottlings.

Food Pairings
This wine works nicely with hearty but casual dishes such as pasta with meat sauce, lasagna, pizza with cured meats, grilled sausages, or roasted chicken. Its juicy fruit and moderate structure make it flexible at the table, especially with tomato-based Italian cuisine and simple comfort foods.

Verdict
A youthful and fruit-driven Ripasso that emphasizes drinkability and approachability over complexity. While not aiming for the power of Amarone, it delivers the classic Ripasso charm in an accessible style.

🍷 Personal Pick
The most casual expression among the Speri lineup tasted, very young, juicy, and noticeably jammy. Not quite my preferred style, but I can see how its approachable fruit profile could resonate strongly with newer wine enthusiasts or younger palates.

Why are valpolicellas so hard to find in new york? Especially ripassos! Med+ acidity, notes of red fruit first, followed by more peppery notes with hints of blackberries and leather, low+ tannins that are smooth (nonexistent?) and not grippy at all. Med+ alcohol. Has no body at all, fades within a second or two. Initially I was going to say this is average, then I realized I was blinded by my general love of valpolicellas and this silly bottle was a touch over $30. No. This was a below average wine.

loved- chocolate, cherry, smooth, round $33.99

With Ron and Bambi April 2023.