Valpolicella Ripasso 2017: 10 Best Bottles, Taste, Prices (2024)

Was 2017 a good year for Valpolicella Ripasso wines? 

Valpolicella Ripasso2017 winesare known for their elegant texture and intense aromatics, despite the challenging weather in the Valpolicella wine region in Verona.

Let’s explore Valpolicella Ripasso 2017 in detail - vintage notes, 10 best bottles, and winemaking techniques.

Valpolicella Ripasso 2017: Vintage Notes, Taste, And Characteristics

In 2017, the Verona viticulture region saw a hot and dry summer followed by late April frost and three hail storms in quick succession between April and September. 

This dramatic climate resulted in the fruit’s early ripening, with optimum sugar content and acidity.

The ripened Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella grapes produced extremely rich Amarone, leaving a concentrated must for the Valpolicella Ripasso technique.

The 2017 Valpolicella Ripasso wines are fruit forward with dominant notes of berries, and dark fruit, and rich, spicy nuances.

The medium-bodied wines have vibrant acidity and 13%-16% alcohol.

The 10 Best Valpolicella Ripasso 2017 Wines

Here are our picks for the best 2017 Valpolicella Ripasso wines:

• 2017 Monte dei Ragni Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore
• 2017 Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 
• 2017 Fattori 'Col de la Bastia' Valpolicella Ripasso
• 2017 Bertani 'Catullo' Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore
• 2017 Buglioni 'Il Bugiardo' Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore
• 2017 Michele Castellani Ca' del Pipa San Michele Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore
• 2017 Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore
• 2017 Domini Veneti 'La Casetta' Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso
• 2017 I Campi 'Campo Ciotoli' Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore
• 2017 Gerardo Cesari Bosan Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso

1. 2017 Monte dei Ragni Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore ($50)

This bold vintage has a nose of berries and pepper with velvety texture and cherry, red fruit, and spice flavors. 

2. 2017 Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore ($36)

This ruby-colored wine has blueberry, licorice, and black pepper on the nose. It has smooth tannins and balanced acidity on the palate.

3. 2017 Fattori 'Col de la Bastia' Valpolicella Ripasso ($34)

This vintage opens with a nose of cherry and sweet spice. On the palate, notes of dried fruit and currants complement soft tannins and lively acidity.

4. 2017 Bertani 'Catullo' Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore ($29)

This beautiful wine has a dark cherry, rose, and violet aroma, silky tannins, and blueberries and white pepper notes - a good wine for grilled meat.

5. 2017 Buglioni 'Il Bugiardo' Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore ($27)

This Ripasso wine opens with intense aromas of ripe fruit and vanilla. The palate has a silky texture, soft tannins, and a mineral note in the finish.

6. 2017 Michele Castellani Ca' del Pipa San Michele Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore ($23)

Ripe cherry, plum, blackberries, and cedar dominate the nose and palate of this delicious wine. It has a slight tannin content and spicy nuances in the finish.

7. 2017 Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($23)

This Tommasi vintage has a spicy nose of raisins and black pepper. The palate has flavors of black cherry, ripe fruit, and chocolate.

8. 2017 Domini Veneti 'La Casetta' Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso ($21)

This Valpolicella wine has a rich nose of cherry and spice. The palate has a delectable flavour of dried fruit and plum with hints of oak.

9. 2017 I Campi 'Campo Ciotoli' Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore ($20)

This bold wine has an inviting aroma of berry jam and cherry. The palate has velvety soft tannins and ripe red fruit, licorice, and tobacco notes.

10. 2017 Gerardo Cesari Bosan Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso ($20)

This full-bodied wine has red fruit at the nose and notes of cocoa and coffee on the palate. The finish has slight acidity - a great wine for roasted meats and cheese.

So what’s the secret behind Ripasso wines?

Valpolicella Ripasso Winemaking

‘Ripasso’ is an ancient fermentation technique particular to the Valpolicella region. 

In this process, the leftover dried grapes from Amarone wine production are used to make Ripasso wine.

Winemakers pass fresh Valpolicella wine - which is lighter-bodied and has less alcohol - through warm Amarone pomace and leave to macerate in steel tanks for about 10-12 days.

The fermentation temperature is set at around 22oC-28℃. The wine is then aged for around 18 months in oak barrels.

The sugar-rich Amarone skins add body and color to the wine, enhance its flavor, and increase alcohol levels. 

Get Hold Of An Aromatic Valpolicella Ripasso 2017 Wine Now! 

Valpolicella Ripasso 2017 wines possess the freshness of the traditional Valpolicella and the depth of an Amarone - perfect to liven up your dinner parties! 

But, if you are looking to invest in an age-worthy, expensive wine, there are other great red wines from Italy and other wine regions that you can look at.

Visit the Vinovest website to buy investment-worthy bottles of fine Italian wine or any other investment-worthy bottle.