3 Bottles @ $56
6 Bottles @ $53

New tasting! We put 2 wines into test!

Wine by Bok - 9.25/10

Monte Zovo Valpolicella Ripasso versus Palazzo Maffei Amarone 2020

We know that Ripasso is called poor-man Amarone or baby Amarone for a good reason. Ripasso is a dry red wine produced without ageing, while Amarone is produced by fermenting dried grapes and ageing them for two years. I took Monte Zovo, our flagship Ripasso which has won awards by a panel of judges, to compete against a full fledge Amarone, to see if it could stand up against the big brother. Upon the first whiff and sip, Amarone seemed to have caught my attention with bolder character and defensive poise. However, I did not rule out the fight based upon one sip. Both wines were decanted in equal amount of time. On the half hour mark, Ripasso took over the limelight with strong and powerful fruits. Ripasso stayed on the upper hand throughout my pizza dinner. As I could not spit fast enough for tonight’s dinner, I have some leftovers for the next day. Surprisingly, both wines held up very well, in fact so well that I could not tell which one was the Ripasso and which was the Amarone. I think Monte Zovo have put in a great effort to produce a very stunning Ripasso. (7/4/2024)

When gently swirled to allow aeration, this red wine from Monte Zovo unveils a rich density, evident in the vibrant stained glass hues along the glass's rim. Within the glass, the Monte Zovo red wine releases fragrances of morello cherries, mulberries, black cherries, blackcurrants, and lavender, accompanied by hints of gingerbread spice, vanilla, and oriental spices. This Italian wine captivates with its gracefully dry palate, bottled with 7.5 grams of residual sugar. As expected from a premium, single-vineyard wine, it showcases impeccable balance despite its dry character. The aromatic profile stands firm without the reliance on residual sugar.

On the palate, this robust red wine boasts an incredibly velvety texture. The Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, characterized by balanced fruit acidity, pleases the taste buds with a gratifying sensation while maintaining a refreshing quality. The finish of this youthful red wine, hailing from the Veneto wine-growing region, specifically the Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, leaves a lasting impression with its delightful aftertaste.

Vinification of Monte Zovo's Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore involves a blend of the Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella grape varieties. Influenced by the climatic and stylistic nuances of the Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, this Italian wine embodies the essence of the Old World in the most commendable manner. Post-harvest, the grapes swiftly reach the press house, where they undergo meticulous selection and gentle crushing. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks and large wooden barrels under controlled temperatures. Following this process, the Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore matures in oak barrels for an additional 18 months, contributing to its impressive character.