Here's another informal, fun-to-drink wine from Speri located at the heart of the appellation in San Pietro in Cariano. The 2016 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso represents a blend of organically farmed Corvina Veronese (70%), Rondinella (20%) and the rest is Molinara with other complementary red grapes. The ripasso technique sees wine made from fresh fruit fermented on the pumice of air-dried fruit (used to make either Amarone or Recioto). In the case of this pretty vintage, you get fresh cherry and blackberry flavors followed by spice, tar and smoke. Production is 90,000 bottles.

A balanced, light- to medium-bodied red, featuring a snappy mix of black cherry, anise and smoke flavors, laced with aromatic herb details and light, supple tannins. Drink now through 2022. 6,500 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / Valpolicella Classico Select to Add