San Cassiano, Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC Veneto 2019

• producer: San Cassiano
• region: Veneto
• country: ITA
• grape variety: corvina, corvinone, rondinella, molinara
• production notes: vegan

Mirko Sella founded San Cassiano in 2004 on land that his grandfather began acquiring in the 1960s through tenant farming. What started out as a few hard-earned small parcels is now 14 hectares of vineyards and 10 hectares of olive trees, as well as an oil mill and wine cellar. Ripasso is a traditional method of making Valpolicella wines, which involves a second maceration of Valpolicella Superiore wine on the skins of grapes used for Amarone, which must be dried for at least 100 days. This second maceration usually lasts about twenty days and the resulting wine takes more color and flavor from the skins.

Notes of black currants and cherries with a good herbaceous quality that gives it some crunchy mouthfeel. The oak influence is noticeable but not overwhelming. This would be excellent wine to bring to a summer barbecue.