After a sunny morning spent with Silvia back in September, we’ve just received a fresh delivery from Il Roccolo di Monticelli, including the rare ..di Rado 2022.
Tucked away in the hills of the Vallata di Mezzane, in eastern Valpolicella, Silvia has transformed a long-untended plot into a thriving vineyard, guided by a deep understanding of the relationship between agriculture, landscape and biodiversity. Enclosed partly by old stone walls and partly by olive trees, the land is also home to goats and donkeys, forming a small ecosystem of its own. Working with old vines on limestone-rich soils, Silvia farms with minimal intervention, both in the vineyard and in the cellar.
..di Rado 2022 is a fascinating expression of Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave, sourced from a sixty-year-old plot. Perfectly ripe bunches were left to infuse with their skins for around six months in stainless steel, followed by three years of bottle ageing. Deep yellow in colour, it opens with ripe pineapple, savoury herbs and gentle spices, leading into a concentrated, smooth and textured palate, with a lingering finish and resonant salinity. A wine that rewards patience.
Alongside it, we’ve restocked Cinciallegra 2023, Silvia’s lively, gently sparkling white. Made from old-vine Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave, it combines lime zest, pickled jalapeños and mineral notes with refreshing acidity and beautifully textured bubbles.
We’ve also received the very last ten cases of Monticelli Rosso 2022, a fragrant blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta and Molinara. Rose petals and white pepper meet subtle tannins and vibrant mineral notes in a red perfectly suited to the season.
And finally, a little Spremuta di Mela: five-litre bag-in-box apple juice made by Silvia’s partner Kisha at Impronta Agricola.
