There is a very small number of producers in Valpolicella that I would buy from every year regardless of the vintage conditions; Speri stands firmly among them. The house style is savory and intense, with lower-than-typical sugar and alcohol as well as the structure that allows for decades of aging. Even in the warmest vintages, the Sant’Urbano—from a site at higher elevations (250-380 meters), ventilating winds and volcanic soils—is beautifully pure and refined. Speri relies on a modified pergola training system, which likely contributes to the vines’ ability to deliver balanced fruit in hot seasons. This estate is not only about Amarone; Speri’s Valpolicella Superiore and Ripasso rank among the top wines in their category year after year. Speri’s approach prioritizes purity, relying on vineyard work rather than stylizing in the winery. As for the wines, the 2020 Amarone is drop-dead gorgeous and perhaps even a little more accessible than usual. The 2022 Ripasso is an impressive offering for such a challenging year, as is the Valpolicella Classico Superiore Sant’Urbano. I recommend opening these wines a day ahead of time or the morning before enjoying them. Speri is top-notch across the board.
This is one of the most significant Valpolicella Superiore in the area and is obtained from the grapes of the Sant’Urbano vineyard. The grapes are left to dry for around 20-25 days, concentrating the flavors and enriching the aromas and softness, which find the perfect balance after approximately two years of ageing. It is a wine, which stands out for its remarkable elegance and complexity.
VINEYARDS
The Monte Sant’Urbano property in the municipality of Fumane, located on a hill at between 280 and 350 m./a.s.l.,The average age of the vines is high.
GRAPE VARIETIES
Corvina Veronese e Corvinone 75%,
Rondinella 20%,
Molinara 5%.
VINIFICATION
Manual picking is followed by 25-30 days’ drying of the grapes. In November, these are destemmed and pressed and fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.
AGEING
24 months in 500 l. French oak barrels. Maturation in bottle for 6 months.
