Do you
miss real Valpolicella? Are you dismayed to find so many "Valpos"
these days taste like generic red wine, or worse, as if they've been
dipped in syrup and fudge? At last. Not this one.
2006 Brigaldara Valpolicella is a gorgeous and true expression of
the Corvina grape, with an alluring almond and nutmeg bitter finish
after coherent black plum and berry flavors. Now go back and smell
it: truffles and poppies. This wine is vivid and articulated now.
Perfect with risotto made creamy with Grana
Padano. Over the next few years it will transform delightfully,
softening, expressing deep forest perfumes and layered fruit and spice
flavors. Italian restaurants serious about food, ask your salesperson
for a sample.
From
valpolicella.it:
The
winery La Brigaldara is located a short distance from San Floriano
and is at the mouth of the Marano valley on a hill forming a natural
balcony. A long dirt road leads to the main, neoclassic style villa
and goes through the 37 acres of vineyards that are prevalently planted
with the corvina and corvinone grape varieties. Next to the villa,
other smaller farmhouses can be found, and a large characteristic,
covered porch is nearby. The cellars are also located there, which
have been restructured and are still being enlarged.
Since 1928, the winery is owned by the Cesari family. At present,
Stefano Cesari, together with his family, direct the successful winery.
Without a doubt, he is very innovative and bold in his choice of wines
for production, with particular reference to the Valpolicella. In
fact, in contrast to his competitors, Stefano has decided to no longer
produce the Valpolicella Classico Superiore, which was previously
called il Vegro. Stefano justifies his decision as follows: "Why not
produce a single wine, Valpolicella, which has a good, but not excessive
body, in order to assure a high level of drinkability? After the grape
is harvested for withering, a second selection is no longer made for
the grapes with which the Superiore is produced. Thus, we are focusing
ourselves on a single high quality product, that's not too close to
an Amarone: a wine with great dignity, that's born only for the pleasure
to be drunk at the table".
