Tasting Tinazzi’s 2018 Corvina last April, we were entranced by the outrageous quality, unfitting at its value price. However, when recently re-tasting each potential selection for our top five list this year, the fact that our panel preferred drinking this over $150 – $250 Napa Cabs on the table solidified our choice. 

 

Corvina is an Italian grape variety with an integral role, mandated by law in all Valpolicella wines, including Amarone, which must include a minimum of 45% in their blends. This late-ripening variety is low in tannin and high in acidy. Tinazzi’s version is varietally classic, manifested with bright cherry, transitioning to juicy dark cherry, spice, and classic hints of almond, a signature of the variety. Fans of juicy Rhone blends, Zinfandel, and of course Valpolicella wines (and well, anybody with a pulse) would love this, and especially at $25.