Two Different Wines from Valpolicella

The wines of Valpolicella are produced from vineyards in Veneto which is located in north-east Italy.  The climate is moderated by Lake Garda to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east.  With cooler temperatures many wines are lower in alcohol.  Indeed the tasty Monte Dall ‘Ora is light and fresh.  It is quite nice but a little too expensive to recommend as a daily drinker.  The Le Ragase is a Ripasso wine meaning it undergoes extended maceration using the must from a recioto or Amarone wine.  The fermentation with this second must increases the alcohol level and other components producing a longer-lived more complex wine.  In tasting the Le Ragase you will notice more dried fruit flavors and assertive structure.  Both of these wines are appropriately priced to allow an interesting comparison.   These wines were purchased at MacArthur Beverages.

2011 Monte Dall ‘Ora, Saseti, Valpolicella Classico – $17
Imported by Louis/Dressner Selections.  This wine is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara sourced from biodynamic vineyards which were fermented with indigenous yeasts.  Alcohol 12.5%.  The color is a light, grapey red.  The nose is fresh, reaching the nose like a fresh glass of soda.  In the mouth the flavors are tart red with a little graphite.  It is a lighter wine showing a little concentration.  With gentle fruit and some notes of stone this is a tasty wine which leaves the impression of purity.  ** Now-2013.

2007 Le Ragose, Ripasso, Valpolicella Classico Superiore – $16
Imported by Frederick Wildman and Sons.  This wine is a blend of 50% Corvina, 20% Molinara, 20% Rondinella, and 10% other varietals which were fermented with indigenous yeasts then fermented again on the lees of Amarone.  The wine was then aged for one year in stainless steel followed by two years in Slavonian oak casks.  Alcohol 14.5%, RS 6.5 g/L.  The flavors are a little prickly on the tongue with a touch of greenhouse flavors mixed with dried cherry fruit, dried florals, and tart red fruit.  There is  lots of acidity to drive this wine.  It is softening up a bit with almost figgy flavors, a little lipstick, and tart red fruit in the finish.  It could benefit from additional time for integration.  ** Now-2017.