Bottega Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2013

From - Veneto, Italy
Grape - Corvina
Alcohol - 14.5%
Available from - lebonvin.co.uk (£24.50) Milan airport shop! (20euro)

Appearance - Clear, deep, ruby

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, youthful.  Sweet cherries, violets

Palate - dry, medium+ intensity, high alcohol, medium acid, medium+ intensity, medium+ tannin, full body, long length.  Red cherries, raspberries, chocolate, bramble.  Drinkable now, but could be aged.

Delicious, silky Valpolicella.  Really splendid but very expensive at £24.50 so one to drink when in Italy.  The alcohol is very well integrated and it has considerable, and very pleasant, length. 

Valpolicella Ripasso is so called because the wine is re-fermented with the skins of grapes used for 'passito' wines - (for example, Amarone).  This provides greater flavour and character.

 

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

From - Margaret River, Western Australia
Grape - Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol - 14.5%
Available from - Waitrose, Selfridges
Price - £18/£26

Appearance - Clear.  Deep ruby, legs observed.

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, developing, black fruit (cassis, blackberry, cherry), red fruit (plums), herbaceous (mint), sweet spice (cinnamon), Kernel (chocolate)

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, high alcohol, full body, medium+ length, high tannin.  Particularly cassis, chocolate-mint.

Tasted after two hours decanting.  I thought it was excellent.  Very expressive of Cab Sauvignon varietal characteristics, and great quality.  Smooth, very complex, developing well but it still could get better for a while yet, I think.  It has lots of character and would be great matched up with the right dinner.