Santa Margherita Ripasso Valpolicella Superior 2014 Wine Review

Santa Margherita Ripasso Valpolicella Superior 2014

Tuscany D.O.C., Italy

Community Score:91/100

Community Reviews: 13

Add My Review

Price: $25.95

Drink: 2016-2023

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Santa Margherita

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 90/100

A juicy, full-bodied Italian red wine from the Valpolicella region. Aromas of black cherry and fresh earth. Dried herbs and spice on the finish. Medium- to full-bodied. Pair with grilled pork chops.

Ripasso Valpolicella Superior food pairings: meat lovers' pizza, chicken wings, grilled burgers, sausages.

Best Beef Wine

This Santa Margherita Ripasso Valpolicella Superior 2014 was reviewed on October 30, 2017 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2015

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
492538
$25.95
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

This elegant new wine from Santa Margherita is coming to LCBO Vintages at the end of June 2017. I can' t wait to taste it again, with its fragrant black cherry, herbal and savoury notes and slight salinity. Mouthwatering and rich but not heavy. It's bound to be a hit with mushroom risotto, herb-encrusted lamb chops or venison.
Tasted Feb. 2017

Sylvain Segard rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

This wine has a rich deep ruby colour, with some brick hues. It even looks a bit viscous. The nose is immediately taken with the aroma of dark raisins and of sweet luscious bing cherries. A second smell reveals baking spices, stewed plums, and the clear balsamic scent of Italy. The mouth reveals more dried fruits flavours and a long spicy finish than on the nose. This Ripasso also has a fresher style than most wines in its category -- with lots of fresh acidity and a tangy mouthfeel. A great match for spaghetti and meat sauce or hard and sharp cheeses. It also worked with dark chocolate truffles. Score 92/100. (S.Segard, reviewed Feb. 24, 2017)

Gwen Barton rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

A new offering from Santa Margherita. Black berry and dark cherry notes. Flavours of sweet cooked fruit. raisins and herbs add to the complexity of this wine. Spicy, warm, elegant finish. Suggest pairing at end of the meal with big flavoured cheese or dark chocolate. Can't wait til it's release date in LCBO Vintages June 2017!

Mary Anne van Gaal rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Mark your calendar for June 2017 when this new Valpolicella Ripasso hits the LCBO!
Using the "ripasso" technique, the wine matures for nine months in large casks and then a further six months in the bottle giving it more fruit and texture. The deep red colour foreshadows the aromas of ripe berries, spice and herbs. It is an elegant wine with flavours of stewed fruit and baking spices making it versatile enough to pair with many foods. Tasted Feb. 24, 2017.

Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

I really enjoyed this wine and look forward to seeing it at the LCBO in June of this year! This is Santa Margherita's first attempt at this style and it doesn't disappoint. On the nose there are lovely hints of berries, smoke, and the glorious scent of balsamic reduction. The flavors are robust with lots of stewed berries, cherries, raisins, baking spice and a silky acidity. Well rounded and elegant.

Andrew Bernardo rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Lovely and soft. This wine features plum, stewed cherry, herbs, raisins, warm spice and a hint of licorice. 91 points. (www.ottawawinejournal.com)

Dianne Sheridan - Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Santa Margherita introduces its first Ripasso, a blend of 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone and 20% Rondinella grapes. The grapes are hand picked when fully ripe.

On the nose it has the aromas of stewed ripe red fruit, spice, smoke, vanilla, leather with hints of herbs. On the palate it is jammy, full-bodied with a lot of fruit on the finish. The tannins are smooth and well rounded. Very sexy and alluring!

Great with stews, mature cheeses, tomato pasta dishes and roasts.

For dessert......Slightly bitter, dark chocolate is a lovely match.

Look for it at the LCBO in June, 2017.

David Skinner rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Dark ruby. Black Cherry, blackberry and herbal aromas. Full bodied and nicely balanced with silky tannins and flavors of dried cranberry, and cherry and licorice. A lengthy finish that keeps the black fruits racing throughout the experience. This ripasso is made to reflect a broader palate than typical for the style. This gives the wine a more expansive spectrum for food pairings.

This can go with earthy dishes like a rabbit terrine and truffles, pork and prunes or something sweeter like a chocolate clafoutis and cherries

Cora Beaulieu rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Ruby red almost brickish in color. Very forward aromas of dark berries, red fruit, fig, raisin, cocoa, slight oak. Other obvious aromas of green pepper, pepper (white), leather and herbaceous notes. Deeply concentrated, full-flavored wine with nicely balanced fruit and acidity. Tannins soft but fully integrated. Long finish of red berries, fig fruit and not overly tannic. Great!! with grilled or broiled red meats. [Tasted Feb/2017]

Jon Steeves - Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A wonderful Valpolicella indeed. Valpolicella is said to mean the land of many fruits and in abundance. The Santa Margherita Ripasso is sourced with hand picked-fruit from the Illasi valley at 250 m above sea level ( 800ft ASL). In this North Italian zone, the hills and steep gorges were created by prehistoric volcanic eruptions with the valley floor soil rich in marine fossils. This ripasso is as complex as it's terroir. Elegantly vinified and released in advance of it's sibling Amarone. Deep ruby red, and 14% ABV. Dark cherries, wild blackberry, raspberry, savoury herb and a hint of baking spice. Well balanced, medium tannins, mouthwatering acidity and medium plus fruit. Paired exceptionally well with panic crusted sous vide rack of lamb. tasted February 2017. 90 points. BespokeTastings

Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Santa Margherita has jumped into the world of Valpolicella with their inaugural vintage (2014) Ripasso and did they ever succeed! A blend of 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, and 20% Rondinella, the wine was re-passed over the pomace of their not-yet released Amarone and allowed to ferment once again for two weeks before it was barrel aged for nine months prior to bottling. Dry with a great blend of savoury and fruity notes, the dried dark fruits, plum, and baking spices greet the the nose and palate. Very well balanced with fresh acidity and texture making it ideal with rich risotto and pasta dishes, braised veal shank, and aged firm cheese. Also great when enjoyed with dark chocolate after a rich meal. Tasted February 2017. 90 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Monique Sosa - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Santa Margherita has ventured into the Valpolicella honoring the ancient hand-crafted tradition of appassimento. Telling enough that we should be expecting an Amarone in the future. This Ripasso lovely aromatic red with berry fruit, a touch of cocoa and tea leaves flavours. This dry medium-bodied red showcases mild tannins, high acidity, and long cherry black tea finish. Enjoy with stews and braises. Tasted Oct 2017 by @sommsosa | @sommguidetravels

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 reviewed this wine as follows:

This is a new venture for Santa Margherita and will be coming to the LCBO in June 2017. Made in the Ripasso style but a very restrained and elegant version. Aromas of raisin, dried cranberry and cooked strawberry. Lots of dried fruit on the palate and an herbaceous note. A nice balance of acid, and a medium+ finish. Enjoy with slow braised beef short ribs, and dark chocolate truffles for dessert. (Feb 2017)

If you liked the Santa Margherita Ripasso Valpolicella Superior 2014, you might also like these wines:

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Santa Margherita Ripasso Valpolicella Superior 2014

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Marqués de Murrieta Red Wine
2019,
Rioja D.O.C.A. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 335,110 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 335,110 strong:

Santa Margherita Ripasso Valpolicella Superior 2014 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 90/100

Pricing & Stock Information