Corte Canella, Valpolicella, Superiore, Veneto, Italy, 2014

Corte Canella was only founded in 2009, but the combination of 50-60 year old vines and modern winery equipment has allowed them to realise their commitment to making high quality, characterful wines. Located in Cellore village, just north of Verona, they produce Valpolicella, Amarone and Soave from grapes grown on alluvial soils. This Valpolicella Superiore is a blend of Corvinone, Corvina and Rondinella grapes which undergo a drying process of 40-50 days before fermentation. The wine is aged in oak barrels for between 18 and 24 months and then rested in bottle for a further six months before release. Andrea Briccarello: A very smoky, intense and powerful nose. On the palate, hints of vanilla and cinnamon combine with ripe, jammy notes. Great structure and balance. Michael Garner: Scented dried fruit aromas are bolstered by cherry, liquorice and hints of clove and sandalwood. Lively acid underpins the full, dark fruit - appassimento aided - before the finely balanced finish. Andrew Jefford: Impressive complexity on the nose: blueberry and blackberry fruits with a creamy fullness from the oak. It's beguiling, suggestive and exotic on the palate too, displaying supple, sweet-edged fruits and an exciting panoply of spiced citrus, incense smoke, fresh and dried black cherry, bramble, loganberry and a savoury, almost bloody note. Wonderfully perfumed.