*When it comes to the world of wine criticism, few names resonate as strongly as Luca Maroni. Born in 1961 in Rome, Italy, Maroni has dedicated his life to the appreciation and evaluation of Italian wines, becoming one of the most influential personalities in the industry. With his unique methodology, expert palate, and commitment to regional winemaking, Maroni has revolutionized how we perceive and select Italian wines. The credibility of Luca Maroni lies in his extensive experience and deep knowledge of Italian wines. He has tasted an astounding number of wines throughout his career, surpassing 200,000 samples.

"The aroma reflects the characteristics of the Valpolicella and Verona local grape varieties used for this fantastic blend: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella. These grapes convey intense notes of red fruits, cherries, marasca cherries and jam in particular. There are also tertiary aromas due to the 12-month ageing process in French and American oak barrels. Leather, chocolate, vanilla with a slight balsamic note.

"The same fruity and spicy sensations are detected on the palate. A full-bodied red wine with a prolonged and well-balanced finish. Ageing in barrels is distinctively perceivable on the palate, with a good tannin and acidity." -Winery Notes

Food pairings: Pasta with meatballs, grilled steak, pappardelle with duck, beef ragu with farfalle, grilled game, braised lamb, mushroom risotto

Tinazzi’s  Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore is part of its Collezione di Famiglia portfolio. This wine is made in the Ripasso style with the finished Valpolicella wine “passed over” the pomace (grape skins, seeds and pulp) left over from the recent fermentation of the estate’s Amarone wine. The process of adding (or “repassing”) the lighter Valpolicella wine over the remainders of the “bigger” Amarone wine adds additional richness and depth to the original Valpolicella wine. The process has proved so successful and Ripasso wines have become so popular that Ripasso was awarded its own DOC in 2007.

The Superiore designation indicates that the wine has been aged for at least one year and has a minimum alcohol level of 12 percent. The minimum ageing and alcohol requirements create a more complex and engaging wine than regular Valpolicella with more prominent aromas, evolved flavors and greater texture.