2020 Monte Dall’Ora ‘Vino Nato Disobbediente’ Rosso 1L

Region: Veneto < Italy

Grapes: Corvinone, Molinara

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming, limestone; destemmed and lightly pressed using only free run juice into concrete and steel with short macerations (5-6 days); bottled unfined/unfiltered; 11% ABV

Winemaker: Alessandra Zantedeschi & Carlo Venturini

In the heart of the Veneto's Valpolicella Valley, Alessandra and her husband Carlo vinify the region's native varietals in the old Pergola style at their biodynamic estate, Monte dall’Ora. Both are from vigniaoli families, but decided to start fresh with their own estate in 1995.  They work only with the region's traditional varietals: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Osleta (a lost indigenous grape), and always organically until the couple took it a step further and converted to biodynamic agriculture in 2006.

The estate is best known for hearty Valpolicella and Amarone wines.  But that's not what Alessandra and Carlo drink at home -- they prefer lighter table wines, like this almost-translucent chillable red in a liter bottle. Their 'Vino Nato Disobbediente', which translates into "Wine Born Disobedient", is generally made only for the family’s consumption, but in generous years they export a little.  So we got lucky this year!  Because while we love the stemmy, spicy, green nature of the local grapes, we're not generally huge fans of the heavier, higher ABV wines they often produce.  But we get all of the alluring varietal character in this bright, fresh, translucent ruby colored juice that is slightly rustic and highly drinkable.  It tastes like green rocks sprinkled with cocoa powder and white pepper, then muddled in black cherries.  Sounds strange, but trust us, it's delicious.  If you lean towards Cab or Cab Franc, try this for a lighter take on those classic flavors.