Valpolicella Classico Superiore “Sant’Urbano” DOC

The grapes for this wine come from the winery’s top vineyard – Sant’Urbano – (a calcareous-cretaceous hill of volcanic origin that retains humidity, preserving it from drought). After being harvested by hand in early fall, the perfect fruit is placed in wooden boxes and left to rest around twenty-two days under ideal conditions in terms of temperature, humidity and ventilation. Once they’ve lost about 8% of their weight, achieving great concentration, vinification begins, usually in November. The grapes also macerate on their skins for eight to ten days with daily pump-overs. The wine is then racked into glass-lined cement vats to complete alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. It then ages eighteen months to twenty-four months in new large French oak and then in bottle. A worthy addition to any cellar.


Wine exported to

Bermuda, Japan, Puerto Rico, Australia

Most recent awards

  • 2018 | Wine Enthusiast91
  • 2018 | James Suckling93
  • 2017 | Wine Spectator90
  • 2017 | Vinous91
  • 2015 | Decanter93
  • 2011 | Wine Advocate89
Grape Varieties:

75% Corvina veronese and Corvinone 20% Rondinella 5% Molinara

Fermentation container:

Stainless steel

Length of alcoholic fermentation:

12 days

Type of yeast:

Selected Organic Certified

Fermentation temperature:

20-22 °C (68-71.6 °F)

Maceration technique:

Periodic pumpovers and délestage

Length of maceration:

12 days

Malolactic fermentation:

Yes

Fining agent:

None

Aging containers:

Tonneaux

Container size:

500L

Container age:

Tonneaux are new or maximum fifth use

Type of oak:

French Allier

Bottling period:

November

Aging before bottling:

24 months

Aging in bottle:

6 months

Closure:

Natural Cork

Organic:

Yes

Vineyard name:

Vigneto Monte Sant'Urbano

Vineyard location:

Fumane, Valpolicella Classica, Veneto

Vineyard size:

20 hectares (49 acres)

Soil composition:

Calcareous, clay and sand with volcanic origins

Vine training:

inclined open pergoletta

Altitude:

280-350 meters above sea level

Vine density:

98 hl per ha

Exposure:

Southern

Years planted:

1991

Age of vines:

28 years

First vintage of this wine:

1983

Total yearly production (in bottles):

60,000

Tasting notes:

A deep ruby red color with a broad and intense bouquet redolent of fruit and aromatic herbs. There are spicy hints on the firm and forthright - yet rounded and elegant – palate.

Serving temperature:

Best served at 16-18 °C (60.8-64.4 °F).

Food pairings:

It goes perfectly with all grilled red meats, braised meats, roasts and cheeses.

Alcohol:

Alc. cont.: 13.5% by vol.

Winemaker:

Alberto Speri