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Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
This Valpolicella comes from the historical Tommasi family vineyard, Rafaèl. Perfectly situated on one of the region’s most famous hills, Monte Masua, it produces what may be the best grapes for the production of Valpolicella Classico Superiore. Careful cultivation of the vineyard, a rigorous selection of grapes and meticulous vinification all contribute to the production of this fresh, elegant Valpolicella. A blend of 60% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and 15% Molinara, it sees 15 months of aging in large Slavonian oak casks of 65 hl. The aromas recall dried spices, leather and cherry and the flavors are intense, with spicy, sweet cherry flavors. Beautifully balanced and very expressive, Rafael pairs wonderfully with a platter of cured meats and cheeses.
Origin: The Single Vineyard RAFAÈL, a hillside vineyard blessed by mother nature by a magnificent landscape and its perfect suitability for grapes.
Grapes: Corvina Veronese 60%, Rondinella 25% e Molinara 15%.
Alcohol: 12,5% vol.
Vinification: 15 months in Slavonian Oak barrels of 65 hectoliters.
Tasting Notes: Intense ruby red in colour, on the nose has dried spices perfumes, with accents of leather and cherry flavours. The taste is fairly intense, spicy with sweet cherry flavours. Well balanced and pleasantly tannic.
Recommended with: First courses with meats sauces, white and red meats, cheeses.
Service Temperature: 16°-18°C/60.8-64.4°F
Vuosikerta 1995
1995 marked the beginning of a series of strong vintages. Indeed, 1995 itself was a year that saw tribulations transformed into triumphs. Spring started off nicely with warm weather only to turn rainy during the blooming period, which effectively stopped fertilisation at its halfway point. An extremely hot July made a dramatic transition into a chilly August. Excess moisture also led to the spread of mold-related diseases. This moisture, however, was duly evaporated by the Indian summer that followed, thus saving the vintage. In Piedmont August hailstorms destroyed as much as 70% of plantations in some areas. Tuscany was spared from the hail and the hot topic of discussion that autumn was the 45-day stretch without rain just before the harvest.
Wines from this vintage are very long-lasting and still require further bottle maturation to reach their full potential. In my opinion, the Chianti Classicos should be drunk right now, even though they could do with a bit more maturation.