Buglioni il Bugiardo Valpolicella Ripasso

Buglioni il Bugiardo Valpolicella Ripasso is a 750ml Italian red wine from Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, bottled at approximately 13.5% ABV. The 2022 vintage earned 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the wine's reputation stretches back to a famous blind tasting where a critic mistook it for an Amarone — dubbing it "il Bugiardo," meaning "the liar" in Italian.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13.5% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy  |  Style: Ripasso  |  Producer: Buglioni

Production & Heritage

Buglioni's vineyards sit at roughly 495 feet elevation on dark, clayey soils with high gravel content in the Valpolicella Classico zone. The blend comprises 60% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella, 5% Croatina, and 5% Oseleta — a broader palette of indigenous grapes than many Ripasso producers employ. What distinguishes il Bugiardo from standard Ripasso production is twofold: the base Valpolicella wine undergoes refermentation on the unpressed skins leftover from Amarone production — the classic ripasso technique — but Buglioni also blends finished Amarone directly into the wine, pushing its richness and concentration into territory that famously fools even experienced tasters.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dripping ripe plums and blackberry jam before lifting into delicate violet perfume. Underneath, soft berry aromas weave into spicy notes of clove, black pepper, and a thread of leather and tobacco.

Taste: The entry is plush and dark-fruited, with black cherry and fresh fig anchoring a lush, concentrated mid-palate. Fine tannins provide structure without austerity, while good acidity keeps the wine's considerable weight in balance. Smoke and earth emerge as the wine opens, adding savory complexity that prevents it from reading as merely fruit-forward.

Finish: Long and spicy, with lingering hints of fennel, balsamic, and raisin that recall Amarone without the higher alcohol. The tannins taper smoothly, leaving a savory, slightly herbal impression that invites another sip.

How to Drink il Bugiardo

Serve at 60–65°F, ideally after 20–30 minutes in a wide-bowled glass to let the layered aromatics open fully. This is a wine built for the dinner table, though it rewards quiet contemplation on its own.

• Negroni Sbagliato: Swap the gin for il Bugiardo's dark fruit intensity — the Campari and sweet vermouth amplify its spice and balsamic character.
• Kalimotxo (updated): A chilled, casual serve with cola that suits the wine's plummy sweetness and low tannin grip for warm-weather gatherings.
• Mulled wine: The existing clove and black pepper notes dovetail naturally with traditional mulling spices, and the wine's concentration holds up to heating.

Best For

• Impressing guests at an Italian-themed dinner party
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates Amarone but wants a more approachable alternative
• Pairing with slow-braised red meat dishes during cooler months
• Introducing someone to the Ripasso category with a benchmark example

Frequently Asked Questions

What does il Bugiardo taste like? il Bugiardo delivers concentrated black cherry, ripe plum, and blackberry jam flavors layered with clove, black pepper, leather, and a long balsamic-tinged finish. It drinks richer and more complex than most Ripasso wines, edging toward Amarone territory.

How does il Bugiardo compare to Masi Campofiorin? Masi Campofiorin is widely credited as the first commercially marketed ripasso-style wine and tends toward a lighter, more approachable profile. il Bugiardo pushes further in concentration and richness — partly because Buglioni blends actual Amarone into the finished wine — which explains its reputation for being mistaken for Amarone in blind tastings.

Is il Bugiardo good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its depth, balance, and layered complexity make it a rewarding wine to drink on its own, especially with 20–30 minutes of aeration in the glass. The fine tannins and bright acidity keep the richness from becoming heavy.

Where is il Bugiardo made? il Bugiardo is produced by the Buglioni winery in the Valpolicella Classico zone of Veneto, northern Italy. The vineyards sit at approximately 495 feet elevation on dark, clay-rich soils with high gravel content.

What foods pair well with il Bugiardo? Braised short ribs benefit from the wine's dark fruit and savory depth. Hard aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano echo its balsamic and earthy notes. Wild mushroom risotto mirrors the smoky, earthy undertones. Grilled lamb chops complement the clove and pepper spice. Dark chocolate desserts with a touch of orange pair naturally with the wine's dried-fruit finish.

What sizes does il Bugiardo come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is il Bugiardo worth the price? il Bugiardo positions as a mid-premium Ripasso that punches well above its weight class — a 93-point Wine Enthusiast score and Mundus Vini Gold medals across multiple vintages confirm consistent quality at a price point significantly below comparable Amarone bottlings.

Why il Bugiardo?

The name itself tells the story: a wine so concentrated and complex that a critic called it a liar for not being Amarone. That reputation is earned through a production technique few Ripasso producers replicate — the addition of finished Amarone to the refermented wine, pushing depth beyond what skin contact alone can achieve. Multiple vintages have been recognized internationally, from 93 points in Wine Enthusiast to Mundus Vini Gold medals in 2015 and 2020. For drinkers who want Amarone's richness without its price tag or higher alcohol, il Bugiardo occupies a rare sweet spot in the Valpolicella hierarchy.