Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso “Semonte Alto”
Semonte Alto is a vineyard which produces a full-bodied red wine, with a rich, concentrated flavor and an intense and distinctive bouquet. In the traditional technique “Ripasso” the Valpolicella Superiore wine already obtained in the grape harvest is re-fermented by running it over the pomace of leftover grape skins and seeds from the fermentation of Amarone for a period of extended maceration. The additional food source for the remaining fermenting yeast helps boost the body, tannins, glycerine and phenolic compounds that contribute to the wine’s complexity, flavor and color.
Appellation: Valpolicella DOC Classico Superiore Ripasso
Type: Red, dry, ripasso
Blend: 70% Corvina Veronese, 20-25% Rondinella, 5-10% Molinara
Organic
Color: Luminous ruby red.
Bouquet: Spiced and toasted hints, to open up with memories of dark fruit like blackberries and blueberries, liquorice and faded violets. .
Taste: The palate it is taut, fresh and savory, rich red fruit and spice notes with a nice tannic finish that cleanses the palate and invites another sip.
Alcohol: 14.5%.
Serve: 18-20°C (64-68°F).
Food Pairing: It is particularly well suited to accompany Mediterranean food, especially pasta and highly flavored meat entrées such as stewed rabbit or roast pork. It also pairs with soft cheeses that have a ripe crust like brie. To appreciate it fully, it should be uncorked and allowed to breath for an hour or so.
Production area: Vigneto “Semonte Alto” at around 250 metres above sea level.
Vineyard exposure: South-West.
Soil: Very light limestone rich in fossils.
Training System: Pergola Trentina (Trento trellis).
Density: About 2,000 vines per hectare.
Average of vines: 30 years old.
Number of buds per vine: 20-25.
Harvest: First half of October, manual picking and sorting.
Vinification: October with the “Ripasso” in February-March for approximately 10 days. Daily remontage. Transfered to casks immediately after being drawn from the vat.
Maturation: Aged in Slovenian oak barrels for around 12 months, then in bottles for 6 months.
2011 Valpolicella Ripasso Classico, "Semonte Alto" – 87 Points – R. P. Wine Advocate (Dec 2014)
“The 2011 Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore Semonte Alto is a single-vineyard expression with fruit that grows 250 meters above sea level in limestone rich soils. This site is known for full bodied wines and the 2011 Ripasso certainly is that. The hot vintage has also shaped extra fruit intensity and thick concentration. Sweet barbecue spice appears on the finish.” ~ M.L.
