Dal Forno Romano Vigna Sere Veneto Passito Rosso 2004

Dal Forno Romano is a winery deeply rooted in family history and a strong connection to the land. With four generations of ownership, the Dal Forno family has upheld a tradition of winemaking that spans three generations. The Dal Forno family has been involved in winemaking since 1983. Situated in Val D'Illasi, the estate encompasses 65 acres of vineyards planted with traditional local grape varieties, including Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, and Croatina. The vineyards and farm are positioned at the base of the mountains, sitting at an elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level. The fertile, loose, alluvial soils, along with meticulous pruning and careful viticultural practices, contribute to the production of high-quality grapes. The Dal Fornos employ a combination of traditional and modern techniques in their winemaking process, resulting in wines that are both classic and pure in style and expression.

The Romano Dal Forno estate is situated in Val D'Illasi, a valley east of Verona. This valley, like many others, cuts through the Lessini hills that extend to the northern side of the city. The valley originates in the Mount Carega area at the northern end of the Lessini and runs north-south, providing a natural pathway to Carega. As the valley progresses, it widens in the plane and gradually narrows, becoming almost alpine from Selva di Progno onwards. The estate is located halfway up the valley, where the slopes begin to rise towards the mountains. Despite this, the valley remains wide and receives ample sunlight. While the southern areas of the valley focus on cereal and forage production for livestock, the Romano Dal Forno estate has a long-standing tradition of producing wine and olive oil, thanks in part to its altitude of 290 meters (950 feet) above sea level.

Vigna Sere Veneto Passito Rossois a sweet red wine from the Veneto region of Italy. It is produced using a special winemaking technique called "passito," where the grapes are dried before fermentation to concentrate their flavors and sugars. The resulting wine is rich, full-bodied, and intensely sweet, with flavors of ripe red fruits, dried fruits, and hints of spice.

Recioto, a concentrated fruit wine, is produced in limited quantities and reserved for rare occasions. It is considered the emblem of its native land, Verona. This wine is the source of Vigna Seré's opulence and density, with prominent notes of plum, black cherry, raspberry, chocolate and coffee. The balanced level of sharpness enhances the refined tannins, creating moments of intense emotion with their elegant sweetness. The wine's persistence is evident, with nuances of truffle, tobacco and new leather enveloping the finish. This exceptional wine embodies the passion, experience, and unwavering dedication cultivated by its creators throughout the years in their profound devotion to their craft.

The Dal Forno Romano Vigna Sere Veneto Passito Rosso 2004 is an embodiment of passion, experience and devotion. Its deep ruby colour captivates the senses, revealing a captivating density. On the nose, prominent hints of plum, black cherry and raspberry intertwine with enticing notes of chocolate and coffee, creating a symphony of flavors that beckon exploration. The wine's refined tannins are brought forth by a pleasant level of sharpness, delivering moments of intense emotions with their graceful sweetness and elegance. Remarkably persistent on the palate, the wine's finish is adorned with nuances of truffle, tobacco and new leather. Fermented in steel tanks at a controlled temperature of approximately 28°C, the Vigna Sere Passito Rosso benefits from a sophisticated computerized system that automates the punching process during the 15-day fermentation period, including the final two-day maceration. Following the racking process, the wine briefly rests in stainless steel tanks, facilitating easy decantation, before being transferred to new barrels for 36 months of maturation. Comprising 55% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, 20% Croatina and 10% Oseleta, this expertly crafted blend exemplifies the culmination of the Dal Forno winemaking expertise.

A masterpiece that is impossible to repeat. In fact, the wine has not been produced since 2004. Even if a vintage as good as this did come along, we'd need to wait another 13 years before we could enjoy this level of maturity and evolution. Formally a Recioto della Valpolicella, this sweet red wine is made with air-dried fruit as local tradition dictates. Luckily no botrytis set in that year, because that would have eroded the wine's deep and luscious colour saturation. The bouquet delivers a generous flow of dark spice, bitter chocolate, espresso, raisin, plum, barbecue spice and teriyaki smoke. The concentration and layering of the wine are both rare and distinctive. The mouthfeel sees sweet flavours with a syrupy mouthfeel. The finish offers hints of caramelized brown sugar and savoury hickory. The aging window is impossible to predict, but the wine is surely built to last. I can think of no other wine that comes close to matching this unique style. - Wine Advocate, 99 Points.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - 55% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, 20% Croatina, 10% Oseleta
Country - Italy
Region - Veneto
Vintage - 2004
Bottle Size - 375ml
ABV - 14%