Tezza Valpolicella Ripasso Valpantena Superiore 2020 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely organic Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore from the Valpantena Valley in Veneto that arrived at the LCBO today in the August 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Azienda Agricola Tezza, a winery that was established by the Tezza family in 1960. Since the beginning, the family has been immersed in the winemaking traditions of the Valpantena and Valpolicella areas. The Tezza family has been producing wines in the region for three generations, and since 1988 it has been run by three cousins - Flavio, Vanio, and Federico.

Today, the short production chain at Tezza allows the family to apply their fundamental principles, which ensures authenticity, transparency, and excellence, with each and every step of the winemaking process traceable. Each step of the wine production cycle is carried out at the winery, from vine planting in the family vineyards to tending the vines and grapes, harvesting, vinification, and bottling. They have over 28 hectares of vineyards in Valpantena, spanning the townlands of Poiano, Nesente and Sezano, and adhere to the strictest organic farming protocols. As Tezza wines are exported and enjoyed around the world, they express the dedication, care, and energy displayed by the three cousins in their role as winemakers from lands steeped in winemaking history.

To craft their Valpolicella wines, the grapes are dried out (to reduce the amount of water and increase the sugar content) in their new drying hall that boasts modern technology which ensures that every aspect of the drying process, including temperature and humidity, is controlled and the results assured. After vinification, the wines are aged in the barrel hall, the heart of the winery, while the "old cellar" is the inner sanctum of the winery and contains Tezza's most precious wines from the best years.

As guardians of the land and biodiversity in the Valpantena Valley, the Tezza family had been practicing organic and sustainable farming for over 20 years prior to obtaining official organic certification in 2020. With the whole production chain compliant with the stringent protocols laid down by EU Organic and USA NOP, Tezza wines was also awarded Equalitas sustainability certification in 2023.

This red wine is a blend of Corvina and Rondinella that was grown in the Valpantena viticultural subzone, in central Valpolicella, of the Valpolicella DOC. The soil in these vineyards is calcareous with high organic substances, while also being rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The vines were trained using Guyot and Sloped Pergola Veronese training techniques. After harvest in September and October, the grapes were destemmed and crushed. It was fermented using selected yeasts with maceration in temperature-controlled steel vats, with daily racking and délestage (returning), followed by refermentation on Amarone marc, and then aged for 24 months prior to bottling.

The 2020 growing season was a warmer vintage that produced bright fruit and acidity, along with excellent concentration and elegant tannins. From a very good to excellent vintage, let's see how this 2020 Valpolicella Superiore is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TEZZA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO VALPANTENA SUPERIORE 2020 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#25823) (D) - $24.95
This organic red wine is a blend of Corvina and Rondinella. The elegant, medium-high intensity nose has lovely aromas of macerated black & red cherry, blackberry compote, red plum, and sweet wood spices with touches of floral, vanilla, and dried herbs. The medium to medium-full bodied palate is sweet fruited, yet dry, and offers cran-cherry and cassis flavours layered over sandalwood, spice, currant, earth, and dried herb flavours. Acids are crisp and juicy, while the tannins are well-structured and somewhat youthful. Cran-cherry and cassis notes give way to savoury earth and smoky oak on the long lasting finish. Highly recommended buy to enjoy over the next 6-8 years. Score: 90+ pts

Limited quantities of Tezza's Amarone is available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.