2016 Rubinelli Vajol Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore

Rubinelli Vajol is the new superstar. The wines are authentic and not as sweet as one often tries to do in the Valpolicella. James suckling writes in his report about the Valpolicella: " Rubinelli Vajol Valpolicella Classico Superiore which comes from a producer that is arguably the new superstar of the style. " and from WineMag 2023, Rubinelli Vajol gets the maximum recognition namely: Italian Winery of the year 2023

The vineyards of the Italian winery Rubinelli Vajol are located in the heart of Valpolicella in the famous Veneto region. Ten hectares of vineyards in one piece of land define the "Cru VAJOL". With the five classic Valpolicella wines, the RUBINELLI family is the only producer of these. With the charming manor house, the cellars, the village of Vajol, the landscape covered with vineyards delimited by brick walls and lovingly decorated with olive trees, cherry blossoms and almond trees, the Rubinelli Vajol winery captures the very essence of the classic beauty of Valpolicella. The sublime wines of this winery contain a sweet secret: the grapes have been stored for a while in the heart of Valpolicella, where they ripen slowly and quietly in the valley, kissed by the sun and protected by the rolling hills.

The Ripasso Valpolicella Classico from Rubinelli Vajol comes from the typical grape varieties for a Ripasso Superiore , namely: 50% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella, 5% Molinara and 5% Oseleta. The Grand Cru vineyards of Rubinelli are located in the Vajol area and are one of the most beautiful parts of the Veneto. In the Vajol, the winery has a unique position because all vineyards are located around the winery (unlike many others (read most) that have plots in the entire area and the commercial amarone wineries often do not have their own vineyards and buy the majority .

All grapes come exclusively from the fields around Corte Sant'Anna, this gives a special uniqueness to the wine and makes it unmistakable: wine born on tuff. This area was once the sea - imagine a sunny bay. The soil consists of marl formed between the Mesozoic era (150 million years ago) and the Tertiary era (60 million years ago) followed by the origin of the Alpine mountains. The soil is very calcareous, ideal for moderating the natural vigor of the vines. Limestone also has spongy properties: the capacity to retain water for long periods of time, only letting it through when the plants need it. This keeps the grapes well hydrated at all times. The soil is thin but rich in organic matter that allows the vines to live in perfect nutritional balance. This harmony is found in the quality of the wines that are always elegant and a full expression, both in their aroma and on the palate, of their rich polyphenolic multiplicity. Rubinelli Vajol wines are born in the ground even before they reach the wine cellar; they are gifts of nature and of the formation of land structures in the Conca del Vajol.

The grapes were picked manually around the end of September / early October, after which they dried for a month in wicker baskets. This process is called appassimento. The grapes are then pressed and fermentation then takes place for 15-20 days at a controlled temperature. The term ripasso comes from 'repassed'. The Valpolicella wine, together with the remaining yeast residues from the production process of the Rubinelli amarone wine, is put in one barrel and this starts a second fermentation process and the alcohol percentage of the wine is increased (with Rubinelli only by 1%) and part of the residual sugar disappears. The amount of tannins also increases and the wine gets more colour, taste and texture. After this fermentation, the wine is allowed to mature in peace in large oak barrels for at least 24 months and then Rubinelli's Ripasso is bottle-aged for at least 1 year.

In the glass, this wine has the typical deep ruby red color. In the nose, the first attack is full of an intense bouqet of red fruit with pleasant hints of spices, a little dark chocolate, tobacco and a little leather. In the mouth, the wine is surprisingly fresh and balanced, which is the trademark of Rubinelli (actually as an authentic Ripasso belongs instead of the (too) sweet commercial ripassos. The wine has refined but certainly still present tannins and in the aftertaste we taste a pepper in the back of the palate and the aftertaste is phenomenal. This is an elegant Ripasso that is also praised by international wine critics. The harmonious bouquet, the freshness and the dry taste make this ripasso a perfect wine for the whole meal but is especially a perfect accompaniment to a grilled t-bone steak, a steak Fiorentina and delicious with grilled rabbit.

FACT: In the Tab: Appendix you will find the official fact sheet of this fine wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount.