Last night I threw together one of those no-fuss dinners: roasted chicken thighs, garlic potatoes, and a salad that was 80% croutons—don’t judge. It felt like the perfect backdrop for a Ripasso: comforting, structured, not too demanding. Tommasi’s version usually hits that mark, but this time it came out swinging.
When I popped the cork, the first whiff surprised me. There was this mix of dark cherries, a little blackberry, and that classic Ripasso savory edge that always reminds me of being in northern Italy—minus the jet lag and the occasional “Did I accidentally park where I wasn’t supposed to?” anxiety. There was also a touch of licorice root and dusty cocoa that told me the wine had more going on than the price tag suggested.
First sip? Smooth, mid-weight, and surprisingly layered. James Suckling’s blurb called the wine “tightly wound, detailed and mid-weighted.” I’d agree. It’s like a football player doing ballet—strength, but presented with finesse. Slightly bitter red cherry, hints of dried orange peel, and a savory note that leans toward mini-Amarone territory without getting clumsy or heavy. Ripasso can sometimes pretend to be Amarone and end up overacting the part. Not this one. Tommasi knows exactly where the line is.
What I loved most is that the wine never got too sweet or too oaky. The tannins were just assertive enough to give it structure—think of a well-timed tennis backhand, firm but controlled. The finish was clean, earthy, and just long enough to remind you this is a classic style done right.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely. Especially at this Costco-friendly $18.99. Ripasso at this quality under twenty bucks feels almost unfair—like skiing downhill on fresh powder while everyone else is still fumbling with their lift tickets.
Food Pairing?
Besides my makeshift chicken dinner, this wine would crush alongside:
- Meat lovers pizza
- Short rib pasta
- Lasagna with extra cheese
- Grilled sausage
- Anything with mushrooms or slow-roasted tomatoes
Value Score: High.
Wine Score (Jeff’s personal scale): 91 points.
A genuinely solid bottle that never tries too hard but still impresses.
Here’s what I learned:
A great Ripasso can give you a taste of Amarone vibes without the Amarone price tag—and when a producer like Tommasi nails the balance, it makes staying home on a Tuesday night feel like a mini Italian vacation.
