This is the Baby Amarone from Montresor de Valpolicella Ripasso, what a superb wine. But let's start with the history of Montresor. The Montresor family emigrated to Italy in 1892 to fulfill their dream. They left their birthplace of Orléans in the heart of France to produce the finest wines in Veneto. That was a significant step, as the family was well-known in France; Claude de Montresor was even a duke in the region around 1600. Recent years have been crucial for Montresor, as they have invested heavily in both the vineyards and the winery. This has greatly benefited the wines, as their quality has further improved.
Wood aging for the Capitel della Crosara Valpolicella Ripasso
A special wine made from Corvina, Molinara, and Rondinella grapes. These grapes grow on very old vines in the heart of Valpolicella, where they thrive in the best climate, enjoying both cool and warm conditions. The nutrient-rich soil is rich and full of pebbles, clay, and limestone. When the harvest is ripe, all the bunches are hand-picked to ensure only the best are used in this red wine. After the primary fermentation, a secondary fermentation is achieved with the must left over from the Amarone. Fermenting with the must gives the wine a fuller, more powerful flavor with a creamy character. This technique is called Ripasso, and this Capitel della Crosara Valpolicella Ripasso is popularly known as a baby Amarone. The entire wine is also aged for sixteen months in oak barrels, bringing it to its full maturity! Wow, what a thick, full-bodied, and very smooth red wine from the Montresor winery.
Full and very powerful this Capitel della Crosara Valpolicella Ripasso
It's a gem, and the international wine press has discovered it, having already received numerous awards, including the silver medal at the "Mundus Vini" competition. Upon opening the bottle, we immediately smell a powerful aroma of freshly stewed black fruit with hints of spice and caramel. In the glass, it erupts ruby red with a purple sheen. It has a beautiful aroma with notes of cinnamon and almond, along with lovely nuances of red and black fruit. The palate is full and rich, velvety smooth, with hints of cherries, spices, and a hint of vanilla.
2022
