Winery / Producer: Tenuta Sant'Antonio (Castagnedi Brothers).

Region of Origin: D.O.C. Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, Mezzane di Sotto, Verona, Italy.

Specific Vineyard: Monti Garbi (Altitude of 300 meters above sea level, calcareous and stony soils).

Grape Varieties: Corvina and Corvinone (70%), Rondinella (20%), Croatina and Oseleta (10%).

Wine Type: High-complexity still red wine (Ripasso).

Sweetness Classification: Dry.

Winemaking and Aging: First fermentation in stainless steel at controlled temperature. In January, the wine is poured over the pressed Amarone pomace from the winery, initiating a second spontaneous fermentation that increases structure and color. Subsequently, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and ages for approximately 15 to 16 months in 500-liter French oak barrels (30% new) to polish its tannins and add complexity before its final rest in the bottle.

Alcohol Content: 14.0% Vol.

Serving Temperature: 16°C - 18°C.

SKU / MPN: IT-TSA-MONTI-GARBI-RIPASSO-750ML

Appearance: It displays an imposing, deep, dense, clean, and beautifully concentrated ruby red color, with elegant garnet hues visible on the rim.

Nose: An aristocratic, intense, and enveloping olfactory profile. It unfolds rich notes of very ripe red and black fruit, cherry liqueur, prunes, and blueberries, perfectly harmonized with spicy notes of cinnamon, clove, black pepper, followed by subtle hints of pipe tobacco, licorice, and bitter cocoa.

Palate: Its entry is majestic, warm, and expansive. On the palate, it expresses itself as strictly dry, enveloping the senses with a silky texture and fine, noble wood tannins magnificently integrated. Its balanced acidity stands out, bringing vibrancy to the great fruit concentration. The finish is long, persistent, and sophisticated, with a balsamic aftertaste and a subtle hint of toasted sweet spices.

Precision Gourmet Pairing: The sumptuousness, dry profile, and great complexity of this Valpolicella Ripasso make it a masterpiece for high-structure gastronomy. It pairs superbly with slow-cooked beef roasts, game stews (venison, wild boar), oxtail, and oven-baked lamb with Provençal herbs. It is the perfect companion for rich Italian pasta dishes such as rigatoni with duck sauce, stone-baked Bolognese lasagna, and complex risottos (like the classic Amarone risotto). It harmonizes spectacularly with platters of intense and aged cheeses such as aged Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, or Gorgonzola.

Suggested Moments:

• Special Celebration: A stately label suitable for commemorating life's great milestones, wedding anniversaries, promotions, or significant birthdays where the wine must rise to the occasion.
• Business (High-End Dinners): Serving Monti Garbi denotes a high connoisseur culture and refined taste, ideal for entertaining strategic partners or exclusive clients in a fine dining setting.
• Distinguished Family Meal: Excellent for presiding over the table at important family gatherings or festivities (such as Christmas or New Year's dinners), where loved ones gather around hearty traditional dishes.
• The Perfect Gift: A gift of high status and distinction, much appreciated by collectors, tasters, and enthusiastic fans of classic Italian terroir wine.
• Summer (Mild Summer Evenings): Enjoyed during mild summer nights outdoors, preferably on the terrace, it is the ideal red to prolong after-dinner conversations alongside a good selection of aged cheeses.

What is the specific origin and winery of this red wine?

This distinguished red is an iconic creation of the Tenuta Sant'Antonio winery, managed by the Castagnedi brothers. Its specific origin is located in the calcareous vineyards on the slopes of Monti Garbi, situated in the province of Verona, within the historic D.O.C. Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore appellation in Veneto, Italy.

Is this wine dry, semi-dry, or sweet?

The Monti Garbi Valpolicella Ripasso is a strictly dry wine. Although the Ripasso technique gives it exuberant ripe fruitiness, noble glyceric density, and a sumptuousness that on the nose recalls raisins, its fermentation is complete, delivering a clean, balanced, and residual sugar-free palate.

What distinguishes a Valpolicella Ripasso from a traditional Valpolicella?

Unlike classic Valpolicella, which is lighter and purely fruity, Ripasso undergoes a second fermentation on the Amarone pomace. This process gives it greater body, a slightly higher alcohol content, much silkier tannins, and an infinitely more complex spiced aromatic richness.

Is it necessary to decant this wine, and what is its aging potential?

It is highly recommended to decant it or allow it to breathe in the glass for about 30 minutes before consumption so that its complex layers of liqueur fruit, tobacco, and spices fully open up. Due to its magnificent acidity and noble tannic structure, it possesses an exceptional aging potential in the bottle of 6 to 10 years under optimal storage conditions.