Tom Casagrande

9.0

Another big boi from this producer. Obviously uses at least a significant proportion of partially dried grapes. Fairly saturated color. Nose is rather subdued, reluctantly giving up scents of leather, underbrush, crushed rock, and dark cherry underneath all of that non-fruit stuff. In the mouth, it’s big, with initial slightly bitter, extracted notes. Tannic. Dissimilar from straight Valpos in its size and austerity. Dissimilar from Ripasso-style Valpos in that the fruit is not especially ripe or sweetish. It will go well with our stuffed shells in red sauce, but is a little challenging on its own. It occurs to me that this might fit in well in a tasting of 2017s from the left bank in Bordeaux. In other words, very atypical for a Valpo. Still, it’s pretty good, as long as you don’t harbor any expectations of typicity.

UPDATE: two nights later (using a vacuum closure), this has actually improved. Kind of amazing for a Valpo of this age. The fruit has moved closer to front-and-center, and it seem a bit more Calpo-like, though it’s still pretty large-framed. Upping score from 8.8 to 9.0. — 23 days ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

First bottle had oxidation and was a touch towards vinegar.

2nd bottle was fresh and gorgeous. Great fruit flavors. Somewhat apricot and floral. Lovely. — a month ago

Mark Mannebach

9.0

Full body, bold yet silky feel, plum, with spice notes — 2 months ago

Al Doyle

9.5

Utterly ethereal. The 2016 riserva is this year’s release and it’s borderline transcendent, the silkiest tannins, light herbal freshness, fantastic depth and structure. This little spot just in front of the Pitti Palace here in Florence is amazing too. — 12 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep Ruby with aromas of sweet dried berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate ripe blackberry, currants and sweet black cherry with complex spice. Well balanced with acidity and alcohol, full-body with soft tannins on long finish. — 21 days ago

AEL

8.9

Shows the benefits of blending. Well balanced, ripe berry and wet bark notes, spicy and full on palate. A bit alcoholic. — 2 months ago

joy horn

8.9

Bought at Pine Orchard 11/24 $14. Great value. Light and bright fruit flavors but with good tannins for balance. — 7 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Surprisingly open, very expressive that is polished with licorice, spice, graphite, floral & tobacco notes — 4 days ago

Alan Johnston

9.3

3.3. A very nice Valpolicella, with a very smooth taste and finish. The 2021 was on sale for $17.99, regularly $21.99. The 2019?now seems to be out of stock. It was excellent. — a month ago

Steve Anderson

9.3

Rating for night 3. Hold or give it a ton of air. — 2 months ago