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Guerrieri Rizzardi 2018 Pojega Ripasso DOP

PRODUCER INFO

Guerrieri-Rizzardi, the historic house in Veneto, dates back to the unification of two ancient estates in 1913, when Carlo Rizzardi from Valpolicella, married Guiseppina Guerrieri of Bardolino.
The new winery is completely solar powered, combining the best that technology offers in a carbon neutral way with vineyards that have been in the family for centuries.
With the energy of the new younger generation in the family, Guerrieri-Rizzardi has experienced a renaissance of sorts over the last twenty years and is known throughout Europe as one of the finest, most classical producers in the region, with wines built on tension and “cut.”

ABOUT THE WINE

Pojega is a historic “cru” vineyard that sits next to the world renowned garden of the same name that was purchased by the Rizzardi family in the 1600’s.
These widely spaced vines are old for the region and therefore loaded with character.
This cuvee is produced from the Southernmost parcels of the vineyard, where a larger than normal proportion of the grapes planted are the late-ripening Corvinone a.k.a. “super Corvina”.
Following traditional practice for the style, the wine sees a second fermentation with still-warm raisined pomace from the winery’s Amarone.
This is a refreshing, balanced alternative to the “modernized/consumerist” Ripasso that most of the region’s wineries are producing these days – Reused skins only on the repass, no dried grape additiona, no artificial heating.
DOC guidelines allow 2 bottles of Ripasso for every bottle of Amarone a winery produces, and Rizzardi’s ratio is unusually low at 1.2, meaning more impact and character from the skins.
Cellared in barrels previously used for the winery’s Amarone.

Vintage: 2018 | Wine Type: Red Wine
Varietal: 45% Corvina / 30% Corvinone / 15% Rondinella / 10% Merlot
Origin: Italy | Appellation: Valpolicella Classico DOP
Elaboration: Hand picked and hand sorted. In the winery in Negar, the alcoholic fermentation and maceration of de-stemmed grapes is carried out over usually 10 days at temperature of 25°C. Followed by the secondary fermentation technique of “Ripasso”. 12 months in Slavonian and French oak.
Winemaker: Giuseppe Rizzardi

TASTING NOTES

In every respect, the 2018 seems to have an extra layer to it, richer, more full in body, and more complex than any other vintage. Still incredibly fresh and pure in fruit, but with a rounder, richer feel. Works well with meaty stews, casseroles, and game dishes as well as prime cuts of beef.