2018 Rubinelli Vajol Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore

Rubinelli Vajol is the new superstar. The wine is authentic and not as sweetened 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 receives maximum recognition: 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 country house, the cellars, the village of Vajol, the landscape covered with vineyards demarcated by brick walls and sweetly decorated with olive trees, cherry blossoms and almond trees, the Rubinelli Vajol winery captures exactly the essence of the classic beauty of Valpolicella. The sublime wines of this winery contain a sweet secret: the grapes were stored for a time in the heart of Valpolicella, where they ripen slowly and peacefully 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 areas in the Veneto. In the Vajol the winery has a unique position because all vineyards are located around the winery (in contrast to many others (read most) that have plots throughout the 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 sponge-like properties: the ability to hold water for long periods of time, allowing it to pass through only when the plants need it. This always keeps the grapes well hydrated. The soil is thin but rich in organic matter which allows the vines to live in perfect nutritional balance. This harmony is reflected in the quality of the wines, which are always elegant and fully express, both in their aroma and on the palate, their rich polyphenolic multitude. Rubinelli Vajol wines are born in the ground 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/beginning of October, after which they dried for a month in wicker baskets. This process is called appassimento. The grapes are then pressed and fermentation 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 placed in one barrel, which initiates a second fermentation process and increases the alcohol percentage of the wine (with Rubinelli only by 1%) and some of the residual sugar disappears. The amount of tannins also increases and the wine gets more color, 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 the Ripasso from Rubinelli is bottle-aged for at least 1 year.

In the glass this wine has the typical deep ruby red color. On the nose the first taste 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 Rubinelli's trademark (actually as an authentic Ripasso should be instead of the (too) sweet commercial ripassos. The wine has refined but certainly still present tannins and in the aftertaste we taste a pepper at the back of the palate and the aftertaste is phenomenal. This is an elegant Ripasso that international wine critics have nothing but praise for. The harmonious bouquet, freshness and dry taste makes this ripasso a perfect wine for the entire meal, but is especially a perfect accompaniment to a grilled T-bone steak, a Fiorentina steak and delicious with grilled rabbit.

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