Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC Casal Vegri Decannale 2010

The grapes for this wine come exclusively from terraced vineyards in Marano. These are located, exposed to the east at about 300 m above sea level and are characterized by stony shell limestone soils with clayey overlay. At Ca' La Bionda, the Decennale is always a special selection of autochthonous grapes, which, after being harvested by hand, are fermented spontaneously and aged in used 3000 L barrels. He comes only on the market when he has found his middle.

The wine presents itself in dark, slightly translucent purple with garnet red rim clear and shiny in the glass.

The nose of the wine is just as pronounced as the colour, but is wonderfully precise and clear. Berry, yet fresh notes of blueberry, cranberry and sloe dominate the aromatic attack. They are accompanied and underpinned by woodsy spice reminiscent of bark mulch, roasted porcini mushrooms and a hint of charcoal. A very dense, yet thankfully not compotty, picture emerges. A hint of campfire scent as well as sweet-seeming spice bring flavors of dates, rum balls and roasted coffee beans into play. An almost impenetrably dense but precise and delightful sensory prelude.

With all the close-meshed, berry aromas, almost meaty spice and extract strength of the nose, the wine surprises on the palate with a very pleasant and relieving as well as drinking animating freshness. Considering its maturity, Ca' La Bionda's 2010 Decennale Casal Vegri proves from the first sip that a great many good decisions were made in its creation. It remains dark and spicy, showing rich yet soft ripe tannins, and seems so well balanced that it can only be in the spirit of joie de vivre. Barely through the doorway, this original takes the room for itself; stately in stature, yet not loud and coarse but obliging and charismatic. His finely balanced acidity prevents with headwind from falling forward-over, moves straight, gives firm stand and an impeccably elegant posture.