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. — 3 days ago

Anthony Cammarata Jr.

9.0

A full body beauty with berry, tobacco and cherry character. Hints of walnut with fine tannins and a crisp finish. Spicy at first sip with bursts of flavor.
— 23 days ago

with Adriano and Daniel

Ryan Colthorp

8.9

Peppery nose. Medium bodied. Stewed fruits. — 23 days ago

Jody Wycech

9.7

So tasty!!!! Boldly aromatic with lots of fruit like cherry, plum, loads or chocolate and tobacco. Full bodied with strong tannins balanced by a cleansing fruity acidity. Love this wine but getting to taste an older vintage is special. — 15 days ago

with Ethan, Peter and 1 other

Lauren Murphy

9.0

Not the amarone I’ve been searching for but I’d get this again — 10 days ago

Daniel Carroll

9.1

Very good!! — 21 days ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

1/2025. A good wine. Bold and full bodied. Good fruit and nice finish. Enjoyed. — 3 hours ago

Bettina Read

9.7

Lovely. Soft and drinkable. Almost finished the bottle in one sitting. — 5 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. — 24 days ago

Ashish Upadhyay

9.1

Awesome wine and great company — a month ago