Masi Valpolicella Bonacosta

Masi Valpolicella Bonacosta is a 750ml, 12% ABV red wine from the Valpolicella Classico DOC in Veneto, Italy. As the only non-appassimento red produced by the renowned Amarone specialists at Masi Agricola, it stands apart in the winery's portfolio — a fresh, fruit-driven expression that earned 90 points from James Suckling for its 2019 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12%  |  Origin: Valpolicella Classico DOC, Veneto, Italy  |  Style: Young, unoaked/lightly oaked red  |  Winery: Masi Agricola

Production & Heritage

Masi Agricola is one of the most respected names in the Veneto, long celebrated for its mastery of the appassimento technique used in Amarone and Ripasso production. Bonacosta breaks from that tradition entirely — it is a classically vinified Valpolicella made from a blend of 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, and 5% Molinara, without any dried-grape concentration. The wine ages for six months in large 60–90 hectoliter Slavonian oak botti, while roughly 20% of the Corvina component spends time in new small French Allier and Slavonian oak casks, adding subtle complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe cherry and raspberry lead the nose, followed by warm baking spice — cinnamon, clove — and a faint thread of smoky vanilla. The bouquet is intense yet inviting, with a freshness that signals the wine's youthful character.

Taste: On the palate, bright red berry flavors arrive immediately, with cherry and strawberry at the core. Mid-palate, gentle spice notes emerge alongside plum and a touch of leather, supported by balanced acidity that keeps everything vivacious. The tannins are soft, silky, and integrated rather than grippy.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish is clean and pure, with lingering cherry and a whisper of sweet spice. The overall impression is one of elegance and freshness rather than weight.

How to Drink Bonacosta

Bonacosta is best served slightly cool — around 16°C (61°F) — which amplifies its bright fruit character. It drinks beautifully on its own or with food, and its moderate tannins make it versatile in lighter cocktail-style applications.

• Classic Sangria: The ripe cherry and spice profile builds a richly aromatic base for a red wine sangria with citrus and seasonal fruit.
• Kalimotxo: Bonacosta's clean, balanced fruit pairs surprisingly well in this Spanish red-wine-and-cola combination, where its acidity cuts through the sweetness.
• Wine Spritzer: Mixed with sparkling water and a twist of orange peel, the wine's natural freshness and low tannin structure keep the drink lively and light.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners when you want quality without heaviness
• Introducing someone to traditional Valpolicella wines
• Summer and early autumn outdoor dining
• Building a comparative tasting alongside Masi Amarone or Ripasso to explore the appassimento spectrum

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bonacosta taste like? Bonacosta is a bright, cherry-driven red with notes of raspberry, cinnamon, and clove, supported by silky tannins and balanced acidity. It is fresh, medium-bodied, and drinks with an elegance that belies its approachable price tier.

How does Bonacosta compare to Bolla Valpolicella? Both are entry-level Valpolicella reds from well-known Veneto producers, but Bonacosta generally shows more complexity and spice depth thanks to partial aging in small oak casks. Bolla Valpolicella tends toward a lighter, simpler fruit profile without the oak influence that Bonacosta's 20% small-cask aging provides.

Is Bonacosta good for beginners? Absolutely — its soft tannins, moderate 12% ABV, and vibrant fruit make it an excellent gateway into Italian red wines. It rewards casual sipping without demanding the kind of decanting or extended aging that more structured Valpolicella expressions require.

Where is Bonacosta made? Bonacosta is produced by Masi Agricola in the Valpolicella Classico DOC, a hillside zone in the western part of the Valpolicella region in Veneto, northeastern Italy. The Classico designation indicates the wine comes from the original, historically delimited heart of the appellation.

What foods pair well with Bonacosta? Margherita pizza and fresh tomato-sauced pastas match the wine's bright acidity. Grilled chicken or veal scallopini complement its medium body without overwhelming the fruit. Aged Asiago or Parmigiano-Reggiano echo the wine's subtle savory notes, and a simple charcuterie board with mild salumi draws out its cherry and spice character.

What sizes does Bonacosta come in? Masi Valpolicella Bonacosta is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Bonacosta worth the price? Bonacosta positions as an entry-level expression within the Masi Agricola range, yet it delivers a level of detail — partial small-oak aging, a three-grape Classico blend — that many wines at this tier do not. For a daily-drinking Valpolicella with a pedigree producer behind it, it represents strong value.

Why Bonacosta?

In a portfolio dominated by appassimento-driven wines like Amarone della Valpolicella Costasera and Campofiorin, Bonacosta is the deliberate outlier — Masi Agricola's statement that great Valpolicella does not require dried grapes. The partial aging of Corvina in small French and Slavonian oak adds a layer of spice and texture rarely found at this level, a detail that likely contributed to its 90-point score from James Suckling. For drinkers looking to understand what Valpolicella Classico tastes like in its purest, freshest form — made by a house that has studied this terroir for generations — Bonacosta is the most direct answer Masi offers.