Italian wine insiders know that a good Valpolicella Ripasso can offer a great wine thats exceptionally good value for money, and this is certainly the case with the Tinazzi Ca de Rocchi Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore Montere. Ripasso repassed in Italian involves adding the skins and seeds left over after making Amarone wines to Valpolicella to give it greater depth, nuance and alcohol content. When done well, these wines can be seen as baby Amarones that drink well young and have sufficient intensity and character to pair with food. Made from a traditional blend of Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, the grapes were given a short (7-10 day) fermentation before being matured in stainless steel on their lees for 6-9 months. The focus here is on fruit and immediacy, but there is still impressive complexity, depth and grip to make it a satisfying glassful.

Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Oct 2024)

Taste

Bright cherry red with a lovely rose-pink rim, the joy and life of this wine are evident from the off. The bouquet leaps from the glass, offering juicy red berries, fresh cherries, a touch of pomegranate and tingling spices. On the palate, the upbeat tone continues, with strawberries, raspberries and red cherries leading the charge, only for softer, weightier notes of plums, prunes, black cherries and coffee come through on the rounded tannins. A lot of wine for the money, the character and complexity are admirable, and while this is lovely on its own, its also great with foods ranging from a pasta ragu, a Friday night pizza to a leg of well-seasoned Sunday lamb.

Blend: 90% Corvina and Corvinone, 10% Rondinella

About the Producer

Since its founding in 1968, Tinazzi has earned an enviable reputation for the excellence of its Italian wines. Today the family has vines in Veneto, Puglia and Tuscany which are dedicated to producing authentic wines that reflect their vineyards terroir and the natural beauty of grapes that are planted there. Innovators by nature, the Tinazzi family are always willing to experiment in the pursuit of perfection and now produce an organic Merlot in Tuscany and through pioneering winemaking a genuinely fine Pinot Grigio. Committed to sustainability, in 2021 they launched a range of organic wines made with eco-friendly packaging. The Tinazzi family see organic wine production as the future of wine and will eventually convert all their vines to organic viticulture so that the next generation can enjoy their exceptional wines too.