Marks & Spencers, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Vendemmia 2007

No not a double post! Im just being a bit of a Valpolicella fiend at the moment. After the solid wine reviewed in the last post I felt drawn to try a Valpolicella Ripasso. The difference being that the Ripasso method uses the left over grape skins from the Recioto and Amarone wines that are added to the batch of Valpolicella before a period of extended maceration. However some producers use slightly dried grapes instead of adding the Recioto and Amarones left overs ( or perhaps even a combinations of both, the latter leads to slightly less tannic wines ). I thought I'd try a Ripasso because i've found a lot of italian wine to be so reliant on food for appreciation to be worthwhile. Some Chiantis are only worth opening opposite a strong meaty dish. I hoped the Ripasso could be slightly sweeter or rounded and capable of expressing itself independently. This particular bottle certainly is. It's interesting but quaffable, bold but rounded. Strong damson notes penetrate instantly whilst aromas of redcurrants, strawberries, prunes, chocolate, mint, thyme and  walnuts develop on the nose. Through tasting the damson, prune and raisiny aspects diminish quite rapidly, the taste is still sweetish - but the full body and strong tannic facets of cedar, oak, walnut, and mint dominate. It's not exactly quite a desert wine ( despite being sweeter than a regular Valpolicella ), but certainly nothing like a big bordeaux ( yet certainly one of the more tannic Valpolicella's ), - however this corvina is certainly not as food critical as so many strong merlot wines.  As much as the sweet and fruity element is present it does become overshadowed against the stronger savoury notes. Very very interesting. My only criticism is that the finish is abrupt in comparison with other super-smooth silk kings amongst the Valpolicella's. None the less, this is a great wine for the price and very flexible, a joy to drink despite the nuances presented being interesting but fleeting.