I've always been a big fan of the wines of the Veneto, especially wines of the Ripasso style, which involves exposing the wine to the dried skins of the grape for an extended period of time. Amarone's are the epitome of this style, but I've always found that valpolicella ripasso's can offer a great value if you find the right bottle. I was lucky enough to have a Tommasi Amarone over Christmas and it was excellent so I had strong hopes that this ripasso would deliver. I was right: this wine proves to me that Tommasi is a brilliant producer and I look forward to checking out more of their wines. This is one of Tommasi's more 'budget' wines, but it has a lot of character and goes fantastically with pasta, especially the sun-dired tomato, chicken pesto pasta I had tonight!
In the glass, the wine is a nice medium garnet colour. The nose suggests dusty raisinated fruit. The palate provides cherry fruit and a wonderful barnyardy flavour that gives the fruit tremendous depth. The wine generally has fantastic concentration. The tannins are very moderate and well balanced. What can I say, I love this wine and it is the best value wine I've had in a long time. I am greatly looking forward to the wine festival coming up at the end of february and especially its focus on Italy. And if this wine is of any indication, we are all up for a treat.
Anyhow, buy this wine and enjoy it at your earliest convenience: it is superb value.
Excellent
$30 at BCLDB
In the glass, the wine is a nice medium garnet colour. The nose suggests dusty raisinated fruit. The palate provides cherry fruit and a wonderful barnyardy flavour that gives the fruit tremendous depth. The wine generally has fantastic concentration. The tannins are very moderate and well balanced. What can I say, I love this wine and it is the best value wine I've had in a long time. I am greatly looking forward to the wine festival coming up at the end of february and especially its focus on Italy. And if this wine is of any indication, we are all up for a treat.
Anyhow, buy this wine and enjoy it at your earliest convenience: it is superb value.
Excellent
$30 at BCLDB
4 comments:
I could not agree more. I just pick up a bottle in Arizona at the beginning of April. I had never tasted a Ripasso before. My first experience with an Amarone was with Cesari IL Bosco 2000, and how I really enjoyed it. I have been looking for something close to an Amarone without having to part with $50-90. I got this "baby amarone" for $ 22 and I have to say it is almost as good as some of the other Amarones I have tasted. Give this Ripasso a try and see why. Ron
Glad you liked it. Since you liked this I would also recommend trying the Zenato Valpolicella Ripasso. I think it goes for $25 here in BC, so probably about $15 US. I thought it was great. And, if you want a real treat, try out the Zenato Amarone's :) - Given they are about 4 times more expensive, but worth it for a special occasion!
I have just opened a bottle of the 2004 Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella. I enjoyed the fruit and the soft tannins but I found the finish had a musty taste. Is that common with this type of wine
martinb@axion.net
2 possibilities:
1. You may not like the barnyardyness of the wine (it's pretty rustic tasting, and may not be to everyone's palate).
2. you had a touch of cork taint in your bottle.
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