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