Dal Forno Romano - Valpolicella Superiore 2018

The Dal Forno family has been making wine since 1983. Located in Val D’Illasi, the estate consists of 65 acres of vines planted to traditional indigenous varieties of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta and Croatina. The estate vineyards and farm are located where the slopes begin to rise toward the mountains and sit 1,000 feet above sea level. The loose, alluvial soils, meticulous pruning and scrupulous viticultural techniques ensure remarkable-quality grapes. The Dal Fornos use traditional methods to grow the finest fruit, and then employ modern techniques to produce the best wines — classic in expression and modern in purity. Dal Forno Romano is well-known for a number of superior wines that range from the region’s famous Valpolicella and Amarone to unique bottlings such as Vigne Seré, a passito dessert-style wine.

Valpolicella Superiore DOCG ‘Monte Lodolette’ is a wine that presents considerable differences with wines in its category. These differences that are mainly due to specific production methods. In fact, the same quality and procedural criteria that are adopted for Amarone are faithfully followed. Starting with the 2002 vintage, all the grapes that go into the Valpolicella Superiore undergo a light but benficial drying process lasting about a month and a half. This phase allows the grapes to achieve an optimal balance between organoleptic concentration and olfactory freshness. The result is a wine of extraordinary aromatic intensity and longevity.

After racking, the Valpolicella rests for a few days in stainless steel tanks, which thanks to their special shape, allow easy decanting, and is then matured in new barriques. For the 2018 vintage, the Valpolicella was aged for 36 months.

“A gorgeous nose of rosemary, leather, cocoa powder and milled pepper is a fragrant thread winding through this rich red. Dense, fine-grained tannins support flavors of baked black cherry and blackberry paste, loamy earth, graphite and Earl Grey tea leaf. Long and plush, with the detailed profile echoing on the finish.” - 94 Points, WIne Spectator

"Restrained dark bramble fruit and vibrant spiciness, with notes of cold coffee, earth and bay leaves. The attack is dense and velvety, with thick, ripe tannins that are a bit sandy. Ripe and full-bodied with crisp acidity and good length focused on graphite. Power and grace, with a restrained chocolate aftertaste.” - 95 Points, James Suckling

Producer: Dal Forno Romano

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Varietal:  Corvina, Corvina Grossa, Rondinella, Oseleta, Croatina

Appellation: Valpolicella Superiore

Vintage: 2018

Size: 750ml