“The 2011 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is a darkly concentrated but carefully balanced expression that only the most expert vintner can pull off with success. Consider that the dry extract is a massive 48 grams per liter. In fact, there is some minor precipitation of color matter even at this relatively young age. This wine was aged in new oak for two years (instead of the standard three years) with four years bottle (instead of three). That extra year in glass served to help the wine integrate and to reduce micro-oxygenation. The bouquet is bright and fragrant with floral notes of rose and violet that are rare to find in Valpolicella. There are faint tertiary notes as well that add to the complexity. You will find cured leather and savory spice. The finish offers enough acidity to refresh the palate, following that considerable density and thickness.”

“Impenetrable crimson. Opulently sweet, dusty oak and dark fruit nose with minty, creamy notes. Skilfully done, but you do have to like oak a lot. Intense and concentrated dark fruit well balanced by acidity and with quite a bit of (oak) tannins, suggesting this could do with much more age.”

“Leather, spice, violet and smoke aromas and flavors are an aromatic entry for this expressive red, wafting through notes of plumped black cherry, underbrush and smoky mineral. Firm and dense, but with an overall sense of finesse to the marriage of structure and flavor. Drink now through 2025. ”

“The 2010 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is more precise and focused compared to the 2011 edition that I tasted at the estate at the same time. This was not an easy vintage in Valpolicella compared to other parts of Italy that enjoyed a classic growing season. Instead, this Northern corner of Italy suffered from heavy rains and some hail damage. Overall yields were lower as a result. But the wine sings in terms of its brightness and aromatic intensity today. The expressive bouquet covers all the bases from black fruit to spice to drying mineral or flint. All of these elements conspire to bring robust flavors together with smooth and seamless transitions.”