Bertani, Ognisanti di Novare, Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy 2020

From white soils high in calcium carbonate, this wine is named after the 13th century church which stands in the middle of the west-facing 2.92ha vineyard, laid out over eight terraces. ‘Here, I wanted to bring oak to Valpolicella,’ explains Angelini Wine Estates' COO and talented winemaker, Andrea Lonardi, who uses new 50hl casks for 12 months. Bright red and black cherry scents with earthy depth lead to a silky-soft, vibrant palate full of succulent cherry fruit. The mid-palate is stony and shows good fruit sapidity, while the finish is long, spicy and fresh. Excellent balance and incredibly energetic.

Ognisanti di Novare is a single-vineyard Valpolicella Classico Superiore offering a pungent nose with aromas of black pepper, fresh rosemary and red cherries. There's good concentration of red fruits, with wood spice adding complexity. Powdery tannins and taut acidity add to the overall tension of the wine.