Villa Spinosa 'Jago' Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso DOC Red Blend 2022

The Ripasso method involves re-fermenting the wine on the dried grape skins left over from Amarone production, which adds complexity, body and concentration. This ancient technique transforms what would be a lighter Valpolicella into something richer and more structured, with deeper fruit flavours and silky tannins. It's essentially Valpolicella's sophisticated older sibling - more intense than the basic version but more approachable than the powerful Amarone.

The Jago vineyard sits in Valpolicella Classica, the original heartland of this famous wine region where the best vineyards have been cultivated for centuries. The ancient limestone soils here provide excellent drainage and mineral complexity, while the hillside exposure ensures optimal ripening conditions. Being in the Classica zone means this wine carries the prestige and terroir expression that made Valpolicella famous worldwide.

This medium-bodied Ripasso is perfect for rich meat dishes like osso buco, braised lamb, or aged cheeses - the structured tannins and dark fruit flavours complement hearty proteins beautifully. The wine's elegant balance also makes it excellent with mushroom risotto or pasta with meat sauce. The herbaceous notes and fresh acidity mean it won't overwhelm lighter dishes like roasted chicken with herbs.

Serve this wine at 16-18°C to showcase its complex aromatics and silky texture - too warm and the alcohol dominates, too cold and you'll miss the beautiful fruit expression. Decant for 30 minutes if drinking now to open up the flavours, though it's drinking beautifully already. Store horizontally in a cool, dark place and this wine will continue developing for 5-8 years, gaining more tertiary complexity while maintaining its elegant structure.

These 90-point ratings highlight the wine's quality credentials - Estate Grown means Villa Spinosa controls the entire process from vineyard to bottle, ensuring consistent quality and authentic expression of their terroir. Small Batch indicates limited production with hands-on attention to detail, from hand-harvesting the grapes to careful oak ageing. This combination of estate control and artisanal production methods results in a wine that truly reflects both the vineyard's character and the winemaker's skill.