Great value Valpolicella Ripasso reds: Five under £25
We picked out some of the best value options from our recent panel tasting....
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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.
It is also bit more versatile than amarone, which can be more difficult to match with food, so ripasso remains a useful weapon in the armoury of Veronese reds overall, said the judges.
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
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Decanter Premium: Top Valpolicella Superiore: Panel tasting results
Monte del Frà, Valpolicella, Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy, 2016

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

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

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

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

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
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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.