RKS 2024 Wine: Valpolicella Rarely a Stinker

Posted byRobert K Stephen (CSW)Posted inFood, WineTags:, , , , , , ,

Approachable, friendly and easy drinking are the monikers of Valpolicella. Monikers of course are made to be broken, ignored or tampered with.

45% Corvina. 30% Corvione. 20% Rondinella. Aged 12-18 months in large oak barrels.

We take this statement to the test with a 2021 Sartori Valpolicella.

Aroma: Blackberry, black cherry, plum, raspberry and milk chocolate. Oaked to perfection.

Palate: Certainly not a purring pussycat. The wine has substance and oomph. A real mouthful or should I say mouthfeel. Or perhaps muscular. No shortage of silly terms in the wine writing world. The wine speaks more of a beautiful texture with fruit hidden but not obfuscated. Blackberry and black cherry with cherry Jello dancing on the edges.

Personality: I am a serious Valpolicella. Approach with respect as I am not that easy and friendly drinking and gabbing without noticing my power is a bit offensive to me. Not to be bossy but I demand you consume me with food.

Food Match: Before fresh field tomatoes disappear Chicken Cacciatore.

Cellarbility: Drinking window expires at 2026-year end.

Price: $17 CDN.

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 92/100.

(Sartori 2021 Le Corti Radole Valpolicella, Valpolicella, Casa Sartori, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy, 13%, 750 mL).

Published by Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Robert K Stephen writes about food ,drink, travel, film, and lifestyle issues. He also has published serialized novels "Life at Megacorp", "Virus # 26, "Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog" and "The Penniless Pensioner" Robert was the first associate member of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada. He also holds a Mindfulness Certification from the University of Leiden and the University of Toronto. Be it Spanish cured meat, dried fruit, BBQ, or recycled bamboo place mats, Robert endeavours to escape the mundane, which is why he has established this publication. His motto is, "Have Story, Will Write."

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