2010 Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore, Veneto, Italy
ABOUT THIS WINE
The 2010 Valpolicella Superiore is a utterly fascinating wine from Dal Forno in this vintage. Composed from 70% Corvina and Corvina Grossa, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina, 5% Oseleta, the selected grapes are then placed in plastic plateaux and are left to rest for 45 days in large open rooms, where an innovative ventilation system helps maintain an elevated and thorough air flow. After the racking process, the Valpolicella rests for a few days in stainless steel tanks and subsequently is placed in new barriques to mature for 36 long months. The result is a wine which displays a pitch dark, inky color, followed by complex aromatics of ripe black currants, black cherries, mission figs woven together with espresso, grilled herbs, bittersweet chocolate, graphite and some earthy loam and straw characteristics all taking shape in this seductive Valpolicella. On this palate this is full-bodied with beautifully polished tannins and remarkable overall structure and balance, with impressive minerality at it core. It all comes together beautifully on the long, expansive finish which lingers on and on. It seems as if this wine continues to improve in quality each vintage, and the 2010 is the most compelling Valpolicella I have ever tasted from the estate. Overall, this is another total success from the Dal Forno Family.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
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.