Ripasso is a richer style of wine than basic Valpolicella due in part to the ‘re-passing’ of the juice over the previously crushed grapes use to make the estate’s more powerful Amarone. The partially dried Amarone skins add both flavour and body to the lighter base wine. This one shows some earthy aromas followed by raspberry and cherry notes; light to medium bodied with a slight balsamic tang which I quite like. Enjoy this with a tomato based pasta dish. (northof9finewine, March 2011)