Fall is here, the holidays are around the corner, and the next three months are going to be filled with special gatherings, most of which include food and WINE. 'Tis the season to live life to the fullest and make every occasion sparkle, from the guest list to the menu. Why not have the very best the wine world has to offer, especially when it can be yours at such a great price, amirite? If you are picking up what I am putting down, READ ON!

Roccolo Grassi is a small winery in the eastern hills of Valpolicella near Soave; it is also the name of the winery's Amarone vineyard. The property has only three vineyards, with vines ranging from 6-45 years old. Brother and sister Marco and Francesca Sartoli took over from their father in 1986 and transformed the winery and vineyards, farming organically and focusing on quality rather than quantity. All of their wines are single-vineyard cuvées, which means that each wine receives the best grapes from each vineyard instead of using the best grapes for only the best wine and then declassifying down. Roccolo Grassi wines are textured and luxurious, yet balanced and fresh.*

The 2015 Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore "Roccolo Grassi", a blend of corvina, corvinone, rondinella, and croatina, was sourced from a vineyard parcel designated exclusively for their Valpolicella Superiore and was aged for 20 months in a combination of 225L French oak barrels and 22hl oak casks. The grapes were harvested the first week of October, when they reached their full phenolic maturity. Crafted from about 50% fresh grapes and 50% grapes that have been slightly dried for 20 days, the wine has a slightly higher concentration than other Valpolicella Superiores. It is bursting with rich, dark fruits and hints of cocoa and spice that complement the silky smooth texture and fine tannins.*

Check out the press!

92 points, Vinous:
"The 2015 Valpolicella Superiore is an intense and spicy effort that keeps the energy high from start to finish. Rosy florals, tart cherries, and blackberries are contrasted by zesty citrus and hints of undergrowth. It’s velvety and creamy in feel yet lifted by bright acids, as a wave of polished dark fruits gives way to notes of baker’s chocolate and savory herbs. There are so many layers here, as the 2015 keeps you guessing at what will come next and finishes lightly structured and long. Here, Roccolo Grassi uses 50% partially dried grapes to find a happy middle ground between Amarone and Valpolicella. It’s a fantastic wine that can excel on its own or at the dinner table." 

The 2015 Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore "Roccolo Grassi" is drinking beautifully right now, with its fruit, terroir, and oak characters seamlessly integrated, yet will develop further in your cellar for another 7-10 years.

The current vintage of today's feature is the 2019. The property has always made it a point to hold back a small number of cases to be released to the market at a later date when the wine approaches its peak drinkability. Less than 10 cases will be arriving in the market this week, and we are thrilled to be able to bring them to you with our highest recommendation.  Order the 2015 Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore "Roccolo Grassi" between now and Noon on Thursday, October 2nd. Orders will be ready for pickup on Friday, October 3rd, after 5 PM.
CHEERS!
ABV 13.5%
*adapted from winery notes