Tommaso Bussola 2017 'TB' Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOC

Item Number: 20711

UPC: 8-110620001638

Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Sub Region: Valpolicella
Appellation/AVA: Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOC
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vintage: 2017
Grape(s): 55% Corvina / 40% Corvinone / 5% Rondinella
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 15.5
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Elevation: 280 - 450 m
Case Production: 1,000

The TB selections are Tommaso's finest wines, made from a ruthless selection only when nature allows. While the Amarone and Recioto enjoy greater renown, this 100% Ripasso wine may be Tommaso's greatest achievement.

Winemaking Notes: The grapes are picked and selected the first and second week of October. 50% are immediately pressed in truncated cone oak vats where fermentation with indigenous yeasts starts after 2 days of maceration. The must stays with its skins for about 18 days, during which several pump overs and skins submersions are performed. It is then racked off and left in a steel tank for 3 months. The other 50% is left to dry in plastic plateaux for 3 months and then pressed. Fermentation starts immediately with indigenous yeasts and after 10 days the Valpolicella Classico produced in October with the first 50% of the grapes is added. In the following 30 days, while the wine ferments, several pump overs and delestage for the skins submersion are performed again. Once fermentation is complete, the wine is racked off in steel tank to decant for 10 days. Finally, the wine is racked off again to wooden barrels to finish its aging. Total of 42 months of aging, 32 months in 700-liter new barrels and 10 months in 75-hectoliter barrels.

Ancient Clones: The key, we think, is not only the age of his vines but the fact that they are nearly all naturally low yielding ancient clones. Corvinone, in particular, is quite rare today because of its low yields and finicky growing habits. Yet, Tommaso claims it is the Corvinone that gives his wines their depth. He calls it the "Super Corvina,” saying that it produces stronger, denser, richer, more perfumed wines.

Label Notes: Bussola uses the term "superiore" on their label to signify that the TB Valpolicella is made in the ripasso style. Historically, Masi claimed to hold a trademark on the word "ripasso," prompting other prominent producers, including Quintarelli and Dal Forno, to use "superiore" as a subtle alternative. While "superiore" legally indicates that the wine’s alcohol content is at least 1% higher, it became an industry shorthand for ripasso during that period. Bussola has maintained this labeling tradition for over 20 years, which is why the word "ripasso" does not appear on their labels today.