Tart Morello cherry, tomato leaf, orange peel. Dehydrated blackberry, loamy soil, fresh cranberry. An unmistakably authentic and pleasantly funky parade of wild berry fruits including dried raspberry and strawberry lead an unmanipulated and intriguing display that is pleasantly littered with fresh herbal notes of oregano, parsley, and thyme. Hints of tree bark, cedar, and tobacco further advance layers of non-fruit complexity as wafts of dried rose and potpourri contribute charming slightly pungent floral tones. Subtle suggestions of worn leather and game expose tasteful tertiary bits while impressions of iron, undergrowth, and damp earth complete the presentation with reflections of unequivocally old-world earthiness. Playfully funky and aromatic on the nose while remaining deliciously restrained and balanced on the palate; exhibiting excellent depth and richness within a profile that is excitingly savory and food friendly. Medium bodied with elevated tannin backed by bright acidity. This 2017 "Montepiazzo" Valpolicella Classico Superiore by Serego Alighieri is a gorgeously complex and classic red from Veneto.

Located in the province of Verona within northeastern Italy's Veneto region, Valpolicella is a legendary winegrowing zone known for producing a diverse range of wine styles ranging from Amarone to Soave. This bottling, crafted by Serego Alighieri using a blend of Corvina/Rondinella/Molinara grown within the Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC, showcases the unique and delicious character expressed by the best dry table wines of this region. This contains a complex and lightly dried berry-driven fruit profile that is largely outshined by an incredible range of savory notes including fresh Italian herbs, tobacco, leather, and iron-rich earthiness. Although already drinking wonderfully and showing nice tertiary development this should still hold well in bottle for quite some time, and would make an outstanding pairing with a wide range of traditional meals. Excellent.