Verona, Italy
Tommasi is a family viticultural company founded in 1902. The estate is run by the 4th generation of the family, nine members working together in complete harmony, each with his well defined area of responsibility. It is situated in Pedemonte, in the heart of Valpolicella Classico region, a small piece of land in the North – West of Verona, between the plains and Lessini mountains and near Garda lake
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Rafaèl Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC
| SKU | 17753 |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Verona |
| Type | Red |
| Varietal | Blend - Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara |
| Listing | MBLL |
| Case Config. | 12x750ml |
| Available In | BC MB AB |
Colour
Intense ruby red.
Aroma
The nose is characterized by dried spice aromas, with accents of leather and cherry.
Flavour
An intense palate, spicy with sweet cherry flavours. Well balanced and pleasantly tannic.
Food Pairing
Pair this wine with first courses with meat sauces, white and red meats, and cheeses.
More Info
The TOMMASI family vineyard RAFAÈL is perfectly situated on the most prestigious hill of the region and produces what may be the best grapes for the production of "Valpolicella Classico Superiore". The combination of careful attention to the cultivation of this ancient vineyard, rigorous selection of grapes and their meticulous vinification, contribute to the creation of this extraordinary wine in understandably limited quantities.
James Suckling, Apr/2024
2022 -
"A solid expression of Ripasso with no shortage of oak tannins. Notes of camphor, forest floor, dark fruit, menthol, aniseed and spruce. The mid-palate packs plenty of flavor and yet there is an undeniable freshness that confers lift, energy and impressive length. This wine is barely mid-weighted, and yet the intensity of flavor suggests something with more body. Welcome astringency in the finish. Good drinking. Drink or hold." - Ned Goodwin MW
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Feb/2024
2021 -
"The 2021 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Rafael is wonderfully fresh, with a perfumed blend of dried roses, violets and chalk dust giving way to wild blueberries. This sweeps across the palate, lifted and refined, with silky textures and juicy red berry fruits that swirl throughout. It tapers off classically dry, with a gentle staining of tannins and a bump of acidity that keeps the taster looking back to the glass for more."
Wine Spectator, 2023
2021 -
"This expressive red partners a savory base note of fresh loamy earth and an overtone of balsamico herbs and spices with a sweeter profile of juicy plumped black cherry, red licorice, violet and dark chocolate. Fresh and harmonious, with lightly chewy tannins firming the finish. Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Drink now through 2028."
Decanter, Feb/2022
2020 -
"This fourth-generation family estate founded in 1902 now owns 105ha in the Valpolicella Classico zone. The grapes for Rafaèl – Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara – are grown in the 6ha, pergola-trained single vineyard on Monte Masua hill which was the first to be bought by the company. Maturation is in 65hl Slavonian oak casks for a total of 15 months. Michael Garner: Fragrant, peppery nose of hedgerow fruits and aromatic herbs. Balanced palate with a clean, dry, lightly peppery finish. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW: Fresh red berries with herbal notes, zesty acidity and good fruit concentration. Nice typicity and finish. Michaela Morris: Vanilla with sweet wood spice, clove and cinnamon. Palate shows some firmness, but nicely framing the concentrated, polished fruit."
James Suckling, Aug/2022
2020 -
"Hint of coffee candy to the baked cherries, dried strawberries and chili chocolate. Quite juicy and round, with a positive sweet-sour character to the berry and plummy fruit. Medium to full body with firm but fine tannins and a medium-long finish. Very drinkable but will hold, too."
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Mar/2023
2020 -
"The 2020 Valpolicella Superiore Classico Rafael is perfumed with a gorgeous mix of crushed cherries, sweet herbs and cloves. This coasts along the palate with a cooling combination of mineral-tinged red fruits and sweet spice, all accelerated by juicy acidity. The 2020 finishes with unexpected concentration and length, yet energetic, as a mix of sour berries and licorice slowly fades."
Wine Enthusiast, Sep/2023
2020 -
Editor's Choice. "Rafaèl is from the Tommasi estate's oldest vineyards and has been produced in the same style since the beginning. It shows the beauty of the region in its purity of fruit and savoriness. Tart and vibrant cherries mixed with wild raspberries are on equal footing with the floral and savory herbal aromatics that swirl in the glass. The palate is elegant with depth showing sour plum, dried tobacco leaf, turned earth and violet. This complex wine drinks well now and will continue to develop. Drink now–2035."
Wine & Spirits Magazine, Jan/2023
2020 -
"This weighty and rich Valpolicella is packed with notes of cardamom and clove that accent flavors of dried cherry and dark chocolate. For hearty fare."
Wine Spectator, Aug/2023
2020 -
"This medium-bodied red reveals a touch of chocolate-covered cherry enlivened by bright orange peel acidity, with supple tannins. Offers hints of steeped raspberry, wild herbs and woodsy spices on the finish. Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara."
Winnipeg Free Press, Nov/2023
2020 -
"A 60-25-15 blend of indigenous grapes Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, grapes for this red are trained using the Veronese pergola system before spending 15 months aging in large Slavonian oak casks. It’s ruby-brick in colour, and aromatically offers lacquer, plum, raspberry, spice and subtle peppery aromas. It’s full-bodied and dry, with ripe red berry, plum and cherry flavours that come with black tea, earth and white pepper flavours along with medium-grippy tannins and a modest, 12.5 per cent alcohol finish. Drink now with rustic pasta dishes, roasted meats or antipasto, or hold for 2-3 years. Very well done."
James Suckling, Jul/2021
2019 -
"Pleasant nose of thick raspberry and cherry jam with savory notes of black olives and light herbs. Relaxed feel to the medium-bodied but layered palate with very fine tannins that are coated with creamy fruit. Surprisingly good length, pushed along by the more savory elements. Delicious. Drink or hold."
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Jan/2022
2019 -
"More savory than sweet and with wild herbs, tomato leaf, crushed ashen stone and hints of lavender fill the glass as the 2019 Rafael Valpolicella Classico Superiore blossoms. This is silky yet juicy and remarkably fresh with mineral-tinged cherries and a bitter tinge of spice. It finishes long and spicy with depths of minerality and a coating of dark fruits and exotic spices. Salty, intense and at 12%, the 2019 Rafael is a gorgeous and characterful Valpolicella Classico."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Dec/2021
2019 -
"The Tommasi 2019 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Rafaèl flows easily from the glass with cherry, rose and purple fruit aromas. The wine is approachable and mid-weight in texture. It shows enough fresh primary fruit to pair with a classic roast chicken with potatoes, rosemary and garlic. This blend of 60% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 15% Molinara shows good concentration and fruit texture in this vintage. Production is 35,000 bottles."
Wine Spectator, Oct/2021
2019 -
"An elegant Valpolicella, balanced and light- to medium-bodied, with light tannins and a delicate, tobacco-laced overtone to flavors of baked black cherry, licorice, olive and loamy earth. Hints of graphite and cedar spice play on the creamy finish. Drink now through 2024."
James Suckling, Dec/2020
2018 -
"A beautiful valpo with delicious berry, light sandalwood and chocolate. Flavor throughout. Such balance, intensity and length and a creamy texture. A wine you want to drink. Lovely now."
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Feb/2021
2018 -
"The 2018 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Rafael is zesty and wildly fresh, lifting up with floral-laced bright cherries contrasted by exotic brown spice. It's soft in texture, giving way to a pure expression of violet-tinged red and blue fruits, with brisk acids and salty minerals building tension toward the close. There's no shortage of energy here, as the 2018 Rafael tapers off to echoes of dried berries and dark inner florals."
James Suckling, Nov/2019
2017 -
"Dried redcurrants and strawberries meet fragrant tea leaves and mooncake character. Medium body with a beautiful sweet-and-sour character and a tangy finish with a touch of dried fruit. Drink now."
James Suckling, Nov/2018
2016 -
Dried strawberries, glazed cherries, dried spices and herbs. Medium to full body, a firm, red-fruited core and a medium chewy finish. Drink now.
Wine & Spirits Magazine, Feb/2019
2016 -
"This wine balances red and black fruit flavors with notes of sage, mint and marjoram. Carried by velvety tannins and mouthwatering acidity, the wine turn savory with exposure to air."
Decanter Magazine, May/2018
2015 -
Highly Recommended; Wonderfully vibrant, showcasing plump forest fruits on the nose. It's broad, long, pungent and pithy in the mouth, with moreish fruit finely balanced by the acids. Supple, stylish and charming, a smoky note adds yet another layer of complexity.
James Suckling, Oct/2017
2015 -
The dark fruit and chocolate character is impressive. Orange peel undertones. Medium to full body. Very balanced, light tannins. A fresh finish. Drink and enjoy.
Wine Spectator, Nov/2017
2015 -
"This light- to medium-bodied red is fragrant, with spice, dried thyme, wild cherry and citrus notes, framed by light, taut tannins and fresh acidity. A lively sipper. Drink now through 2019. 6,600 cases imported."
Wine & Spirits Magazine, Feb/2018
2015 -
"A selection from a hillside vineyard, this feels dark and expansive, its flavors rounded by 15 months in large Slavonian oak casks. Notes of fresh hay lend an herbal lift to the sour cherry and red-currant flavors while the tannins are firm enough to stand up to grilled meats."
James Suckling, Nov/2016
2014 -
"A lovely valpo that is delicate and spicy with a lemon-rind and blueberry character. Medium body, vibrant fruit and wonderful acidity. Flavorful. Drink now."
Wine Spectator, Web Only 2016
2014 -
"Light-bodied and open-knit, with an herbal overtone and flavors of wild strawberry and red licorice. Creamy. Drink now. 12,500 cases made"
James Suckling, Oct/2015
2013 -
"A bright, straightforward red with strawberry and cherry. Full body, crisp acidity and a clean, intense finish. Delicious Valpolicella. Drink now."