A red with less bite.

[Botafogo]

Repeat after me:

Ripasso Valpolicella! From our current newsletter:

We’ve got so much love for you it’ll take two weeks to tell you about it. Just in from Verona (the home of Romeo and Juliet, you know):

Guys, we know YOU are obsessed with the big, brawny, built to win tastings and structured for aging wines of the Northwest like Brunello, Barolo and such. BUT, we can guarantee you those are just going to get you the cold shoulder if you pull them out for Valentine’s Day dinner. Speaking from experience (more than 70% of our clientele is female) we can tell you that no other zone punches the right buttons of the fairer sex than the soft, seductive, envelopingly smooth reds of Valpolicella, most specifically Ripassos and Amarones. We’ve done the research, you reap the rewards, who loves you Babe?

Salvalai Vino di Ripasso MONILE 1998, Veneto
Our largest selling red in this price range, soft, smooth, compare with Pinots at Biggu$ Bucku$.

Nicolis Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso SECAL 1998, Veneto
Richer, fuller, starting to show some real Amarone type textures.

Nicolas Vino Veronese TESTAL 1997, Veneto
We have had two different customers CRY when we were out of this (one had driven from the South Bay to get it for her wedding anniversary). Very possibly physically addictive, use discretion.

Nicolas Amarone Classico AMBROSAN 1997, Veneto
The name says it all: Ambrosia!