Luigi Righetti Valpolicella Ripasso Campolieti, 2021

Luigi Righetti Campolieti Valpolicella Classico Ripasso proffers aromas of dried berries, cranberries and cherry pits, leading into a full and generous palate that is simply packed with more cherry and berry fruit and gentle notes of spice. It's generously fruited and so easy drinking.

The name Campolieti means happy fields, referring both to the vineyards from which this excellent wine is produced and to the joyous reaction of many loyal Luigi Righetti customers upon their first taste of this ripasso Valpolicella. The soils are lean and dry, giving the wine an intense cherry bouquet with a distinct scent of bitter almonds.

Luigi Righetti Campolieti Valpolicella Classico Ripasso is made from a blend of Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella grapes, carefully picked in October before undergoing the most modern winemaking processes. The newly made Valpolicella is passed over ("ripasso") and re-fermented on the pomace and lees of the dried grapes from the estate's Amarone. The remaining sugars, flavours and tannins provide extra richness and body to what traditionally is a lighter style of red wine. It is then aged in oak barrels for twelve months, giving a velvety and harmonious wine.

Valpolicella is often thought of as a thin and light wine sold in pizzerias by the jugfuls. This is the real deal and a far cry from the innocuous factory made wines. having been fermented over the lees of the previous year's Amarone, it takes on a whole new dimension with tons of dried berry fruit dominating both nose and palate. We were served this wine in the village close to the winery with a dish of pasta with a duck sauce. The combination was simply delicious and it has since built up a great following with our restaurant clients.

• ❖ ABV: 13.5%