David Lawrason’s Weekly Wine Pick: an Italian red with a sour-cherry finish

Allegrini Corte Giara 2009 Valpolicella Ripasso

$16.95 | Veneto, Italy | 90 points The warm, ripe 2009 vintage and the fruit-enriching ripasso re-fermentation technique fits right in with the polished winemaking style of the Allegrini family.

The taste: This is a very generous, easy-drinking red with fresh, ripe sour cherry jam flavours and nuances of leather, smoke and mocha. It’s medium-full bodied, smooth and a bit sweet, and all balanced by classic sour-edged acidity. The ripe sour cherry percolates long on the finish.

How to drink It: It doesn’t need aging, but it should hold its vitality for three years. Chill it lightly, let it aerate in a decanter for about 30 minutes and serve with creamy meat and pasta dishes.

LCBO 266692