2018 Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore

Its Origins

Marco and Francesca Sartori continue to be at the top of their game and, somehow, still under the radar. Both their Valpolicella and Amarone are typically one of the top wines of the appellation. The Brother-and-sister team are the second generation to run the Roccolo Grassi winery, located outside of the Classico zone in Mezzane di Sotto. They tend to a total of 15 hectares according to organic practices. The family sources the fruit for their Amarone and Valpolicella from a high altitude site, planted in volcanic and basalt soils, a stony mix of red and black clay. This location is known for its cooler mesoclimate, the result of cooling air currents coming down from the Lessini Mountains, but also for a lower amount of precipitation, which is balanced by the vineyard’s water-retaining soils. The Amarone hails from vines averaging 45 years of age, while the younger vines under 25 years go into the Valpolicella. The Sartori family works to maintain a progressive and more savory style, yet still showcasing the richness obtained through appassimento. Both reds undergo maturation in a combination of new and aged barriques. The Valpolicella is unique in the region in that it uses 30% appassimento (air dried) grapes, and sees around 20 months in wood. Think of it as a more vibrant and energetic styled Amarone, no wonder it is the finest example you can buy. The Amarone itself is a powerhouse, but only sees 26 months in wood, which is low on average for the region. This is a good example of how they maintain such a beautifully fresh style.