Le Ragose is a historic, family‑run estate in Valpolicella known for crafting wines with depth, elegance, and a strong sense of place. Their Ripasso and Valpolicella wines come from estate vineyards perched around 300 meters above sea level, where old vines and rare local varietals—many nearly extinct—add complexity and character you won’t find elsewhere. The winery farms all its fruit by hand and keeps yields extremely low, resulting in concentrated wines with vivid color, layered aromatics, and long, satisfying finishes.
Deep, brilliant ruby red with garnet reflections. An intense nose, vinous with ripe, black cherry fruit and sweet spices. On the palate, dry with a medium body. It is surprisingly complex with intense mature berry flavor interwoven with hints of dried figs, cocoa powder, coffee and minerals. The finish is extremely long, dry and satisfying. This is a Ripasso of great
elegance and longevity.
Blend: 50% Corvina, 20% Corvinone and 20% Rondinella and 10% of local grapes such as Forselina, Rossara, Pelara, Osaletta, Negrara, Barbera, Rossignola, Rosetta, Dindarella, Croatina (There are 30 varietals taken from their Le Sassine vineyard, many of which are now facing extinction and some of which are pre-phyloxera.) Le Sassine acts as the nursery for these varietals which would otherwise disappear.
92 James Suckling A traditional estate that does little wrong, particularly in recent times. While the tannins are a bit stunted and drying, the fruit is compressed nicely, avoiding the tiring sweetness of so many Ripasso wines. Cloves, woodsy cherries, orange oil, camphor and a hint of varnish. An airy bitterness at the piquant finish. Nicely done. Drink or hold.
