Prà Morandina Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2018

Graziano Prà, best known for his Soave, only produces three red wines. These three, from a 13 hectare vineyard near Mezzane in eastern Valpolicella, are utterly brilliant. At 450m altitude, the steep glacial slopes of poor, rocky, yellow marl soil produce meagre crops and the cool nights ensure a long ripening period. This is the most Christmassy of all, with earthy notes plus a hint of orange peel tang, cloves and lovely semi-dried figs and prunes. It’s big and rich, as you’d expect from a Ripasso, but as you’d expect from Prà, has graphite minerality and a palate of great length and elegance.