2011 Le Ragose Valpolicella Ripasso,  
Classico Superiore
$27.50 per, 5% off six, 10% off 12, can mix 
 

The 2011 Le Ragose Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore is sensational and an extreme value. The quality and complexity ratio to price is off the charts.If you are receiving this offer, you probably are familiar with the Ripasso Method, but just in case....... The area of Valpolicella ( Italy ) is famous for a style of wine called Amarone which involves the drying of grapes before pressing them. Ripasso means " to pass through again". The Amarone is made, then the very rich pressings from the dried Amarone grapes are placed back in the tank for maturation with fresh ( never dried ) Valpolicela grapes to make Ripasso. Good
Ripasso is both fresh and vibrant, yet powerful. Good Ripasso makes for sensational food or cheese wines, and by the way, both Cabernet and Pinot drinkers seem to enjoy good Ripasso. The 2011 La Ragose Superiore is beyond good Ripasso it is in fact great Ripasso. The La Ragose is made of 50% Corvina from vines a minimum of 30 years old. The rest of the blend is from a field comprisedof 6 different ancient varietals all from vines in excess of 100 years. The vineyards are hillside and from the highest elevation in the region. These prime components come together to deliver us a wine which is rich with violets, lavender and spice on the nose. The flavor profile is lush with deep red cherry all infused with coffee and mocha. The finish is long and very spicy and polished. 2011 is the current release and has in fact just been released. The Le Ragose is winery aged. If you have room for a mid $20's Italian which tastes like a collector wine. We highly recommend the Le Ragose.

2005 Le Ragose Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Martha Galli
$117.50 per, 5% off six, 10% off 12, can mix  

We tasted this Amarone last week and were seriously impressed.   
Le Ragose Amarone is produced from estate vineyards sitting above 1200 feet in elevation.  Le Ragose is located north of Verona, in the town of Negrar, at the Valpolicella zone's highest point. For many years an abandoned property, it was bought in 1969 by enologist Arnaldo Galli and his wife Marta, who rehabilitated the property and planted forty acres of terraced vineyard. Marta Galli, often referred to as "La Signora del Vino," was voted "Winemaker of the World in 1990 by her peers in part because of her influence in reestablishing Valpolicella
as a classic in Italian wine and helping it achieve a DOC designation. Today sons Paolo and Marco manage the property and make the wine, keeping true to the vision of their parents.
 
The vineyards are ideally situated with a south-west exposure and soils of clay and magnesium, calcium and iron based gravel. Vines average 30-60 years old. The 2005 La Ragose Amarone "Marta Galli" shows dense, ripe and lush berries with a hint of dark chocolate. Shows with both red and black fruit and spices!  This is a wine of power and elegance, harmonic and enticing. The finish is long and satisfying. Excellent with wild game birds, wild goat, risotto, gorgonzola cheese, and dark chocolate desserts and, if you can see in the background in the first picture, my great-aunt's brown sugar cookies!!  The representative from Italy said they make a similar cookie and pair with this wine all the time. Go figure!!  Never would have guessed it!  Can send recipe for cookies if interested.  Reviews are below.
 
The wine is gorgeous.  Pricier than the Antonio Sasa (for those of you who remember that Amarone) but also in the same fresh style and with exceptional cellar aging.  2005 is the current release.  Rex says a 20 year wine!

I Tre bicchieri - 2013
Sulla Guida d'Italia 2013 del Gambero Rosso nella lista dei vini del Veneto che hanno conquistato il massimo riconoscimento, anche l'Amarone della Valpolicella Classico "Marta Galli" Annata 2005
Translation:  On 2013 Italy of Gambero Rosso guide in the list of wines from Veneto who won the highest award, the Amarone della Valpolicella Classico  "Martha Galli " Vintage 2005

Wine Spectator Rated 91
Inviting flavors of sappy black cherry, date and mocha are well-knit with more traditional notes of forest floor, grilled herb and beef in this balanced Amarone. Silky in texture and juicy, with an expressive, spiced finish. Drink now through 2025. 800 cases made.

Decanter Rated 91
The 2005 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Marta Galli is deep, rich and nicely structured. Bright red fruit melds into gentle floral and spice notes as the 2005 shows off its personality. Nicely delineated throughout, the 2005 impresses for its balance and overall sense of harmony. Cedar, savory herbs and tobacco add dimensions of complexity to the powerful finish. (Vinous)
  

All of the very best, Rex and Michele

tasting opportunity

Almaviva is the award winning Cabernet based Bordeaux Blend grown at the top of the Andes. This project combines Chateau Mouton Rotheschild with Opus and Concha y Toro.  If you attended our March tasting you tasted the highly acclaimed 2012 vintage. This coming  Tuesday night, for our "Spring Release " tasting we will be tasting the 2013 vintage.

CRITICAL REVEIWS BELOW!

P.S. Watch for the our full spring release lineup to be published and emailed to you tomorrow!


2013 Almaviva  
72% cabernet sauvignon, 19% carmenere, 6% cabernet franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% merlot
 
"Superb aromas of Indian spices, blackberry, blueberry and dried flowers. Full body, soft and polished tannins and an amazing finesse of subtle yet intense flavors. This is so pure and fruity. Another great Almaviva. Reminiscent of the great 2010. A blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon, 19% carmenere, 6% cabernet franc, 2% petit verdot and 1% merlot." 97 points James Suckling
 
Has a subtle nose with very nicely integrated spicy aromas from the elevage. The palate is very approachable, soft and velvety, with very good balance and a fine texture because of the very fine tannins. 94 Points- Wine Advocate
 
(Aged for 18 months in 75 percent new French oak barrels) Vivid ruby-red. Expressive, oak-spiced cherry, black currant and rose pastille aromas are complemented by suggestions of vanilla and licorice. Sweet, seamless and penetrating in the mouth, offering intense dark berry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors and a repeating vanilla note. Shows excellent focus and appealing sweetness on the long, juicy finish, which features repeating spiciness and subtle, slow-building tannins. (JR) (2/2017)   93 points Vinous

The Classic Cafe, Roanoke
Tuesday, May 23, 6:30pm
Spring flowers - new spring releases

General Manager Francis Silmon oversees tasting and compares fantastic wines, paired with Chef Charles' appetizers. You can always count on this to be a fun and informative event. Call 817-430-8185 to reserve your space.
$60 per person

Blake Maso, MISO Imports, will be guest speaker introducing us to new wines from their European portfolio.  
 
 




Rex Perry, 972-904-9917 [email protected]
Michele Mercy 214-906-5251  [email protected]
Francis Silmon 817-271-2720  [email protected]