Rizzardi Pojega Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2017

Drink now through 2028. No need to decant.

This single vineyard Valpolicella Ripasso is carefully crafted with grapes hand harvested from the southernmost section of the historic Pojeca plot which has been owned by the Rizzardi family for centuries. The estate was founded in 1914 following a marriage between two local noble winemaking families, the Counts Rizzardi and the Counts Guerrieri.

Following the harvest the grapes undergo an initial maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks before a second fermentation with the skins which have been used to make the estate’s Amarone wines. The final stage is maturation in a mixture of 5hl French oak barrels and 50hl Slavonian oak casks for 12 months before the wine is deemed ready for release.

This traditional winemaking method for Valpolicella Ripasso wines creates a rich, decadent wine with a deep ruby hue and divine aromas of dark berry jam, cocoa and sweet baking spices. On the palate there is great concentration of flavour with black cherry, cassis and hints of smoky toast along with a generous full body, soft tannins and silky smooth mouthfeel. Thanks to the firm structure and intense flavour profile, this is a great choice to accompany roast lamb, a prime steak, or a hearty beef stew.