Michele Castellani
Valpolicella Ripasso San Michele 2019
Castellani’s Ripassos are made with gold-standard methods in Valpolicella. Because the Amarone grape skins aren’t pressed, the Ripasso (made via a blend of Amarone skins and Valpolicella Classico) benefits from the fresh, flavorful slurry of fruit and juice known as a “baby Amarone.” The result is a complex wine with aromas of blackberries, plums, cedar, and spice. It is medium-bodied and supple on the palate, with polished tannins and balanced acidity.
Vineyard
Castellani has 17 hectares of certified organic vineyards near their estate in Borgata, in Valpolicella Classico. Colle Cristi comes from the upper portion of the hill which has more limestone in the soil. Vines are primarily pergola trained, which is well suited to this area, and to Corvina in particular. The leaves protect the grapes from direct sun and the heat radiates from the ground – a natural temperature control that allows a longer ripening period. This gives the skins and juice more time to ripen in unison.
Winemaking
This wine is made via the ripasso method, whereby fermentation is triggered in a finished Valpolicella Classico by placing the unpressed grape skins of Castellani’s Amarone on top. After pressing the skins off the wine, it is aged for at least 2 years, with 18 months in mid-size Slavonian oak barrels and French wooden casks.
Tasting Note
This wine has aromas of blackberries, plums, cedar, and spice. It is medium-bodied and supple on the palate, with polished tannins and balanced acidity.
Color
Red
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Valpolicella Classico Borgata
The bright, floral nature of the Borgata Valpolicella is a beautiful counterpoint to the brooding power of the Amarones, and even the Ripasso. Freshness is king in this classically dry blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. They select grapes with the highest potential acidity, limit the malolactic fermentations, and age the wine in concrete and steel. Notes of cherry and red fruits making for a pleasantly fresh, vibrant, and balanced wine.
Amarone della Valpolicella Cinque Stelle
Cinque Stelle comes from vineyards just below Colle Cristi. The vines are also slightly more southern exposed, in alluvial, clay soils, leading to bigger, richer wines than those from higher up. Unlike many of their neighbors, Castellani only uses free run-juice for their Amarone and the remainder is pressed for their Ripasso. This is a bold red with a robust core of dark chocolate, raisins and red cherries.
Amarone della Valpolicella Colle Cristi
Colle Cristi is a selection from the top of the hill and yields a very elegant style of Amarone. It’s made from the traditional grapes of the region: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Molinara, which are dried for 3 months. Unlike many of their neighbors, Castellani only uses free run-juice for their Amarone and the remainder is pressed for their Ripasso. This is a full-bodied wine with fine-grained tannins that turn savory through a long finish.
