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Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore Rafael 2021 750ml
OUT OF STOCK
Sample image only.Please see Item description for product Information. When ordering, the item shipped will match the product listing if there are any discrepancies. Do not order solely on the label if you feel it does not match product description.
SKU 941324
$16.25/bottle
Out of stock
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The 2021 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Rafael is wonderfully fresh, with a perfumed blend of dried roses, violets and chalk dust giving way to wild blueberries. This sweeps across the palate, lifted and refined, with silky textures and juicy red berry fruits that swirl throughout. It tapers off classically dry, with a gentle staining of tannins and a bump of acidity that keeps the taster looking back to the glass for more.
Corvina grapes are most commonly associated with the Veneto region of Italy, where they have been grown successfully for centuries, and are a vital component of the region's viticultural identity. The Corvina varietal is famed around the world for its inclusion in such fine wines as Amarone and Valpolicella, where it is blended with small quantities of other grape varietals to produce wines of exceptional character and balance. The grapes themselves have a naturally high level of acidity, which often results in an aftertaste of bitter almonds. However, this bitterness is quite a sought for feature of this varietal, as it balances beautifully with the sour cherry notes also associated with the grape. Corvina grapes have a wonderfully potential for aging, and this process mellows the bitterness and acids present in the fruit, resulting in soft, complex and highly admired wines.
Country
Italy
There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.
Region
Veneto
As historically one of the most important regions in the world regarding trade and experimentation, it comes as no surprise to discover that Veneto has always been a well respected and innovative wine region. This area of north-easterly area of Italy benefits greatly from a continental climate tempered by the Alps, and plenty of influence from the Germanic countries it is near to. Veneto is most commonly associated with beautifully elegant white wines, such as those of Soave, and has over ninety thousand hectares under vine. Impressively, within that area, over a third of the vineyards in the Veneto region have been granted official AOC status, and many of the sub-regions and appellations of Veneto have gone on to be world-famous in regards to quality. One such example is Valpolicella, where some of Italy's finest and most complex red wines are produced.
Appellation
Valpolicella
Valpolicella is a renowned wine appellation located in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy, known for producing a variety of red wines. The appellation’s most famous wine is Amarone della Valpolicella, a rich, full-bodied wine made from partially dried grapes. The region’s winemaking tradition dates back centuries, and its wines are crafted primarily from native grape varieties like Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. Valpolicella wines are known for their versatility, offering a range of styles from light and fruity to bold and complex. The standard Valpolicella is typically fresh, with bright cherry and red fruit flavors, while Valpolicella Ripasso undergoes a secondary fermentation, adding body and depth. Amarone is characterized by its concentrated flavors of dried fruit, spice, and chocolate, thanks to the appassimento drying process. Valpolicella wines pair well with a variety of foods, from pasta to hearty meats, making them a popular choice among wine lovers.
VM91pts
Vinous Media
The 2021 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Rafael is wonderfully fresh, with a perfumed blend of dried roses, violets and chalk dust giving way to wild blueberries. This sweeps across the palate, lifted and refined, with silky textures and juicy red berry fruits that swirl throughout. It tapers off classically dry, with a gentle staining of tannins and a bump of acidity that keeps the taster looking back to the glass for more.
WS90pts
Wine Spectator
This expressive red partners a savory base note of fresh loamy earth and an overtone of balsamico herbs and spices with a sweeter profile of juicy plumped black cherry, red licorice, violet and dark chocolate. Fresh and harmonious, with lightly chewy tannins firming the finish. Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Drink now through 2028. 12,000 cases made, 5,000 cases imported.
Winery Notes
Intense ruby red in color, on the nose it has dried spices perfumes, with accents of leather and cherry flavors. The taste is fairly intense, spicy with sweet cherry flavors. Well balanced and pleasantly tannic.
