19 January 2012

Corvina Veronese, Monte Zovo, 2007

If there is one grape that tickles me fancy it has to Crovina. In fact my wine epiphany happened to involve just the culprit in the form of a Valopicella Ripasso, and has been the bar all wine finds itself up against ever since. Now, this is something a little different, it's a straight Crovina, form Monte Zovo, whose Bardolino has already struck a good note with me. So how did the single varietal stand up?



Appearance:
Clean, with a very light intensity, the ruby colours characteristic of Corvina (Tip: with Valpol, hold it up to light and it should be a brilliant crimson red, if it looks a bit pinkish, you've got yourself a badly made Valpol/Bardolino/Corvina)

Nose:
Clean, and thankfully uncorked, or oxidised (Have had a run of two or three baddies recently). Very pronounce, straight away letting you know that there is a whole lot to the wine. The nose opens up with all sorts of red fruit a cherry-cola and strawberry the main fruits, dusted off with some herbicous notes of Thyme. The nose all in all was intense.

Palate:
Dry, with good refreshing acidity and soft tannins to the front of the palate. Cherry Cola take on most of the body. The finish reveals a juicy strawberry which as the wine opens invades onto the palate. 

Comments:
Balance on this was perfect, mimicking the Bardolino's freshness, which seems to be a consistent feature of Monte Zovo's range. Perfect to drink now or even hold on to for a year or so. Wine is at it's peak and drinking great, no reason to hold onto it any longer. My own personal comment would be "Sweet Jesus Christ I love Crovina". Definitely worth picking up. As for matching it too food? Well, smoked samlon or chicken would be nice however nothing all that big or huge, the wine is very light, I think it's almost better on it's own. 

Score:
(B+) 89

Price:
€16.95 (Power & Smullen), (The guys at The Corkscrew Wine Merchants have been kind enough to offer to get it back in stock for anyone who wants too get trying the wine, if you're interested, give them an advised buzz)

Value (Out of 5):
4.5

2 comments:

  1. Glad to see you like this wine it is one of the best wines in our Portfolio. Often ignored for the Ripasso, but we think it's a steal at €13.95. If you have a unquechable desire for it give us an email or a call. The gang in Woodberrys

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    1. If you see any wines going up that you have let us know and we'll stick your name and price on them! I agree that most other Corvina-based Venetian reds are unfairly over looked by Ripasso.

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