Vantini Luigi e Figli Ripasso della Valpolicella Classico Superiore le Cariole

Pulling this older wine out of the cooler, we had low expectations for a wine from the 2002 vintage in the northern fourth of Italy that was plagued by severe rains at harvest. And the first pour from the bottle was a pale red, as might be expected for a diluted wine. But the color darkened the next day and a fine cherry fruit flavor emerged. The tannins proved to be pleasantly drying without any vegetal character or harshness, and …