Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore 2008

Region: Veneto, Italy

Grape: Corvina, Rondinella, Croatina, Oseleta

Vineyard Practice: Sustainable

Culinary Suggestions: Braised Beef Short Ribs, Osso Buco, Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano

Alcohol: 14%

Bottle Size: 750ml

Overview

Dal Forno Romano, located in the Valpolicella region of Italy, was founded in the early 1980s by Romano Dal Forno. Inspired by the legendary winemaker Giuseppe Quintarelli, Romano set out to redefine Valpolicella wines by focusing on quality, innovation, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence. His dedication led him to embrace meticulous vineyard management, low yields, and modern techniques, setting new standards for the region.

Dal Forno is best known for its powerful and intensely concentrated Amarone and Valpolicella wines, made using the appassimento method, where grapes are partially dried before fermentation to enhance their richness and structure. The winery's Valpolicella Superiore has gained a cult following for its depth and complexity, often rivalling Amarone in style. Dal Forno’s wines are characterised by their boldness, structure, and remarkable ageing potential, making them some of the most sought-after wines from Valpolicella and a benchmark for Italian red wine.

Dal Forno Romano’s Valpolicella Superiore is often considered a revelation in the Valpolicella category, offering complexity and depth rarely associated with the style. Romano Dal Forno, a winemaker renowned for his uncompromising standards, approaches Valpolicella Superiore with the same level of care typically reserved for Amarone. The 2008 vintage saw carefully selected grapes undergo a partial drying process, which concentrates flavours and structure, enhancing both the depth and longevity of the wine. In the winery, precision in vinification—along with extended ageing in French oak—allows this Valpolicella to reveal its layers slowly over time.

The estate is set in the heart of Val d’Illasi, where Dal Forno’s vineyards benefit from well-draining, mineral-rich soils. Combined with sustainable practices and rigorous attention to every step of production, Dal Forno’s Valpolicella Superiore achieves an intensity and textural finesse that elevate it beyond expectations, showcasing both the bold character of Valpolicella and the refined elegance unique to the Dal Forno signature.

Critic Reviews

94 points

Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media March 2014

A dark, super-ripe wine, the 2008 Valpolicella Superiore is fabulous in this vintage. Smoke, tar, incense, licorice and blackberry jam hit the palate in a massive, intense Valpolicella loaded with class and personality. Even with all of the concentration, the 2008 is quite a bit less tannic than some recent vintages have been, which makes it accessible even today, especially if given a little air. There is a lot to admire in this drop-dead gorgeous Valpolicella from Romano Dal Forno.

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