A reasonably priced red to serve alongside bruschette with prosciutto, sautéed mushrooms and radicchio and some wedges of aged cheese, the Santa Sofia 2016 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Montegradella offers ripe fruit with dried cherry and plum. This blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella (with 45 days of appassimento) presents a dark, mid-weight approach with loads of rich fruity fiber and soft texture. This balanced vintage shows good power and energy, and the wine is also slightly aged with background notes of tobacco and dark spice. Roughly 25,000 bottles were made.

The 2015 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Montegradella offers medium-bodied fruit with mild notes of spice, tobacco and tarry smoke at the back. You get a lot of positive descriptors for a wine at this level of informality and at this low price point. The wine is easy-drinking and sharp enough to cut through tri-tip on the barbecue. The blend is 70% Corvina and Corvinone with 30% Rondinella that sees a brief 45 days of appassimento. Some 11,422 bottles were made.

Santa Sofia's 2014 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Montegradella is a simple red wine that opens to bright cherry fruit and dried raspberry. The bouquet is light and buoyant. This is a medium-bodied red wine that offers clean lines and an upfront level of bright acidity. It would pair with creamy pasta or cheesy lasagna.

Simple, fruity Valpo. Light- to medium-bodied, with decent fruit and a light finish. Slightly cheesy. 2,500 cases made.??–JS??Region: Italy / Valpolicella Classico Select to Add

Rich and concentrated, displaying ripe, sweet cherry and menthol notes, spicy accents on the finish. Some firm tannins provide support. 3,000 cases made.??–BS??Region: Italy / Valpolicella Classico Select to Add