Tommaso Bussola 2005 Valpolicella Classico Superiore TB

Winemaker Notes - When Veneto legend Giuseppe Quintarelli was asked years ago to name the region’s next superstar, he didn’t hesitate: Tommaso Bussola. Originally trained as a stone mason, Tommaso took over over his uncle’s Valpolicella estate— with its prized old vineyards in the heart of the Classico zone— in the mid-1980’s. The key to the wines sucess, is not only the age of his vines but the fact that they are nearly all naturally low-yielding ancient clones: Corvinone (40%), Corvina Grossa (25%) and Rondinella (20%). Corvinone, in particular, is quite rare today because of its low yields and finicky growing habits. Yet, Tommaso claims it is the Corvinone that gives his wines their depth. He calls it the ‘Super Corvina,’ saying that it produces stronger, denser, richer, more perfumed wines. Tommaso produces two levels of wine. Those labeled ‘TB’ are his finest, made from a ruthless selection from his best sites. While the Amarone and Recioto garner the most accolades in the press, the Valpolicella ‘TB’ may be Tommaso’s greatest achievement.