Ca' La Bionda 'Malavoglia' Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2021 750ml

Product Info

The 2021 Ca' La Bionda 'Malavoglia' Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso is a "next-gen" expression of the traditional Ripasso style. Crafted by the Castellani family—who have been farming organically in the heart of the Marano di Valpolicella commune since 1902—this 2021 vintage defies the heavy, sugary stereotype of many modern Ripassos. By focusing on indigenous yeasts and limestone-rich soils, the estate delivers a beautifully dry, exceptionally fresh, and high-tension red wine.

• Fruit & Florals: Appealing aromas of sour cherries, preserved brandied amarena cherries, blueberries, and black cassis, lifted by violet petals.
• Savory & Earthy: Striking layers of roasted chestnuts, chiodini tree mushrooms, fresh white tobacco, and forest floor. 
• Confection & Herbal Accents: Subtle hints of cinnamon, vanilla, nougat dark chocolate, alongside a fresh, cooling pop of eucalyptus and mint. 

• Flavors: Concentrated, mouth-filling flavors of juicy cherry-almond, raspberry, and subtle dried fruits.
• Texture & Body: Supple, velvety, and deep, offering excellent density without feeling heavy or sweet.
• Structure & Acidity: Tautly strung along a bright frame. Its signature hallmark is a vibrant, limestone-lit acidity and a distinct, salty mineral tension.
• Tannins & Finish: Robust, smooth, and pleasantly soft tannins carry the wine through a long, clean finish highlighted by stony spice.

• Blend Composition: 70% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella and Molinara.
• The Ripasso Method: Five months after the initial harvest, the young Valpolicella wine is refermented on the pressed skins and pomace of the estate's Amarone and Recioto grapes for about 48 hours. This process infuses the fresh juice with structural complexity and rich, dried-grape aromatics.
• Aging: Matured in large, neutral 2,000 to 3,000-liter wooden oak vats for roughly 12 to 18 months before bottling.
• Terroir: Cultivated from vines up to 30 years old on terraced hillside plots (150–300 meters altitude) rich in clay-limestone and fragmented volcanic stone.
• Alcohol Content: 13.5% ABV. 

• Serving Advice: Serve at around 16–18°C (60–64°F). It benefits from 30 minutes of air to let the savory white tobacco and dark chocolate notes unfurl. 
• Food Pairings: A phenomenal companion to classic Italian comfort fare. Pair it with rich pasta al ragù, wild porcini mushroom risotto, grilled lamb cutlets, or classic Venetian ossobuco