This high-end Valpolicella, which until recently was labelled as IGT Veronese,  contains the well known Veneto varieties of Corvina and Rondinella together with rare, Masi-rediscovered variety Oseleta. Toar refers to the volcanic soils of the vineyards used to make this wine – from what I can gather it’s the local name for volcanic outcrops found here. It’s a striking, intense wine with plenty going on.

Masi Toar 2011 Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Veneto, Italy
13% alcohol. Lovely vivid, sweet blackberry, damson and plum fruit here, in this concentrated, lively, interesting Valpolicella. It has intense floral aromas and notes of tar and dark chocolate, as well as some ripe apple notes and a distinctive, very Italian, bitter damson twist. There’s a lot of flavour here. 92/100

UK agent: Berkmann Cellars

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