Duca Fedele

Duca Fedele is the straight, entry Valpolicella DOC from Massimago, the organic Mezzane di Sotto estate that Camilla Rossi Chauvenet has run since 2003. It sits below the estate's Ripasso and Amarone lines as the fresh, everyday reading of the appellation: Corvina-led, with Corvinone and a little Rondinella, hand-harvested off limestone soils in the eastern Valpolicella hills at 100 to 400 metres. There is no appassimento here - the fresh grapes get a few days of maceration and ferment in stainless steel, then rest a few months in tank and about six in bottle. Light in body and free of oak, built around crisp sour cherry, herbs and a peppery lift, meant to drink young and even served lightly chilled.