value Valpolicella Ripasso
Corteforte, Valpolicella
(Image credit: Daniel Vogel / Unsplash)

Although our judges – Andrew Jefford, Aldo Fiordelli and Michael Garner – found this particular tasting a bit of a ‘mixed bag’, they did observe some of the advantages of Valpolicella Ripasso.

‘Ripasso is a very popular wine and its importance in the landscape of Veronese reds is at its highest peak ever now,’ said Michael Garner.

Another advantage is that ripasso wines do not necessarily need a long time in the cellar.

‘It’s a style that actually isn’t that suitable for ageing for very long, and is usually best enjoyed within two or three years of the vintage,’ Garner confirmed.

The following wines all scored at least 90 points from the panel tasting and are £25 or under.

Find a new wine to try today….


Decanter Premium members can find the panel tasting in full here.


Five great value Valpolicella Ripasso reds to try


You may also like

Recioto della Valpolicella vs Amarone: What’s the difference?

What is Amarone wine? Ask Decanter

Decanter Premium: Top Valpolicella Superiore: Panel tasting results

Monte del Frà, Valpolicella, Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy, 2016

My wines

91

Subtle, sweet clove, anise and nutmeg, creamy vanilla and red orchard fruits. Ample, soft and velvety with a long toasty finish.

2016

VenetoItaly

Monte del FràValpolicella

Rubinelli Vajol, Valpolicella, Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy, 2015

My wines

91

An opulence of mature, succulent fruit and peppery spice; soft and rewarding with a lush silky texture and tannins.

2015

VenetoItaly

Rubinelli VajolValpolicella

Corteforte, Podere Bertarole, Valpolicella, Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy, 2017

My wines

90

Splendid violet florals and youthful cherry fruit, with well-constructed oak, fresh tannins and a bitter twist on the finish.

2017

VenetoItaly

CorteforteValpolicella

Fattori, Col de la Bastia, Valpolicella, Ripasso Superiore, Veneto, Italy, 2017

My wines

90

A beautiful crunch of youth with fresh cherry and decadent dark chocolate flavours; poised, elegant and a joy to drink.

2017

VenetoItaly

FattoriValpolicella

Tenuta Sant'Antonio, Monti Garbi, Valpolicella, Ripasso Superiore, Veneto, Italy, 2017

My wines

90

A delicious drive of juicy dark fruit, polished chocolate, liquorice and tar; intense and concentrated with long, savoury finish.

2017

VenetoItaly

Tenuta Sant'AntonioValpolicella

Ellie Douglas
Digital Editor

Ellie Douglas is digital editor at Decanter.

She has worked at Decanter since 2013, when she joined as editorial assistant, then moving to the web team as assistant web editor in 2015.

Over her years at Decanter, Ellie has helped to significantly grow Decanter’s social media presence and with the launch of Decanter Premium in 2017.

She holds her WSET Level three in Wine, and in 2018 was shortlisted for PPA Digital Content Champion of the Year.