Massimago Valpolicella Ripasso Marchesa Maria Bella 2022The 2022 Marchesa MariaBella Ripasso from Massimago drinks like Valpolicella seen through warm kitchen light. Amarena cherry, dried raspberry, and plum skin lead, followed by cocoa powder, sweet tobacco, and a faint echo of bay leaf and crushed stone. The Ripasso technique adds a gentle bass notesavory, slightly smoky, never heavygiving the wine a supple mid palate and a quietly persistent finish. Polished but still conversational, it feels made for

lengthy tannins

as it often does here

on the rocks

It is exciting to introduce wine drinkers to new grapes and winemaking styles from this region

Five years from now this wine will be more complex

"100 points

a family-run powerhouse committed to crafting wines that showcase Ribera’s potential without ostentation

and cranberry lead

This is so delicious you’re not just going to drink a glass

Haven’t drunk one of those in a while (nor read Edgar Allen Poe recently)

Cuvée Grégory takes its name from the fourth generation now at the helm

restrained finish marked by mineral tension and cool