Valpolicella Classico Superiore "San Giorgio Alto"

Italy
Veneto
2018

60% Corvina/20% Corvinone/20% Rondinella. The Venturini family bought 1.5 hectares of vines in San Giorgio, about 8 kilometers from their estate vineyard, in 2015. They farm these vines biodynamically, like all of their others, but there are key differences in the site itself. It is a steeper, southwest-facing vineyard at the much higher altitude of 500 meters, compared to 150 meters at home. It is further west, the closest hill to nearby Lake Garda, a tempering factor for the microclimate in this isolated, forest-encircled, windy, cool plot. The 25-40-year-old vines are a bit younger compared than the estate vines.The limestone soils are similarly sandy and stony. 

Harvest is by hand. The bunches are destemmed and fermented spontaneously and without sulfur in tank. Maceration lasts 8-10 days with periodic manual punch-downs. The wine is aged for up to 2 years in botti. It is bottled without filtration and aged for 2-3 more years before release.

 

 

93 points
"The 2018 Valpolicella Classico Superiore San Giorgio Alto is wildly unique, holding my attention firm with a savory blend of plum sauce, brown spice, whole butter and dusty rose. It's softly textured, nearly juicy in feel, yet packed full of saline-minerality, showcasing tart cherry offset by a hint of curry. The 2018 leaves the palate stained in primary concentration and sweet tannins yet leaves the mouth watering for more as a note of balsamic-tinged black raspberry slowly fades. This transcends the vintage, with an underlying power and intensity of fruit seldom seen."
Eric Guido,
Vinous Media
December 2022

SKU/Code: 
DB4155-18
Product Line: 
Wine
Red
Varietal: 
Corvina blend
Farming Type: 
Biodynamic