Amarone

Generous, seductive and very complex bouquet of cherries, plums, spices and other aromas. The taste of the "Vigneti Vallata di Marano" impresses above all with its elegance and length. A beautiful Amarone in which power and concentration go together harmoniously. SUPERIORE.DE

Amarone Selezione Antonio Castagnedi delivers high quality for its price every year: diverse aromas of violets, graphite, black cherries and minerals and a lively, structured, down-to-earth style. This richness and depth make it the perfect companion to winter cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with sparkling reflexes. In the nose predominantly of raspberry jam, also has bloody-meaty components, white pepper, in the finish delicate mint, as well as roasted almonds. Immediately present on the palate, shows grippy, gripping tannin, shows malty tones." Falstaff

"Prunes and clove-spiced chocolate. Really scented, as if pot pourri dust and souk spices had been folded, over and over, into the silk of the fruit. Extraordinarily delicate – fragile, almost – for an Amarone. It's like walking into a very old church, thick stone walls, flagstone floor worn by millenia of knees, cool and shadowed after the bright hot light of the afternoon outside; there is this single shaft of daylight entering through the one stained-glass window behind the altar; and the dust motes are slowly spinning in the silence of its line." Jancis Robinson

"Intense dried cranberry and steely blackcurrant on the nose. Balsamic, dried-herb and licoricy oak, too. Full and very concentrated on the palate with a focused, flavorful drive of spicy fruit and well-integrated tannins that pushes on and on. Tempting now, but best from 2023." James Suckling

"The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Antonio Castagnedi is dusty and floral, with black cherries lifted by smoky crushed stone. This impresses further with undeniably elegant textures, silky and refined, more savory than sweet and with a saturation of primary fruits. Plums, blackberries, minerals and brown spice can all be found, as the 2017 comes across as powerful and elegant. This is a tamed beast of an Amarone with depths of intensity and full of character as it tapers off balsamic, lightly structured and spicy. Wow, and at a balanced 15% abv." Vinous

The youngest offspring of Guerrieri Rizzardi's Amarone family comes from three cru sites in the commune of Negrar, including the best vineyard Calcarole. The grapes are dried without technical aids for 3-5 months in the drying rooms of Pojega. 3 Cru is accessible earlier than Villa Rizzardi or Calcarole and offers complex aromas of dark fruits with a very pleasant sweet spiciness on the palate. Fresh and lively, it glides into a respectable finish with plenty of character. SUPERIORE.DE

Impeccable Amarone from the Valpantena subzone with a promising bouquet of dark cherries, sweet spices and earthiness. Continuous and complex on the palate with an elegant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby with brightening garnet rim. Fresh and clear nose, smells of dark cherries, ripe plums, some undergrowth, coriander seeds in the background. In the mouth with fine-meshed tannin, shows good tension, round and supple, with fine pressure in the final." Falstaff

The name says it all: Marne means marl soil, on which the vines for this wonderful Amarone grow. They are over 20 years old and lie in an ideal 180° direction, from south-west to south-east. Rich, shiny ruby red, compact bouquet with intense aromas of plum, black cherry, green tea and tobacco, with a fine chocolate note in the background. The body, coated with fine berry fruit, develops a dynamic taste experience on the palate with sweet fruit melting, taut tannin and a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Zenato's Amarone is all about elegance, with ripe fruit at the centre of the inviting bouquet with light tones of aromatic herbs. Powerful, sparkling ruby. Very appealing and complex nose of plum, black cherry and a hint of leather. The palate shows its overripe power, a fine tannin and the warm, expansive taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, rich ruby red. Beautiful nose of candied citrus fruits, blood orange, also slightly of dried grapefruit, then cherries, roses, then again raspberry syrup and wild strawberries in the finish. On the palate compact and with a great melting, shows itself complex and yet accessible, juicy tannin envelops the clear fruit, very long final." Falstaff

"The 2018 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Ripassa is peppery with earth tones and crushed stone giving way to black cherries and savory herbs. There are depths of silken textures here offset by brisk acids, as ripe red and black fruits resonate under an air of lavender. This is so concentrated and intense, yet communicating elegance, while leaving the palate fresh with hints of violet candies that linger. The 2018 will need a short stay in the cellar to develop its aromatics. Well done." Vinous

"Complex and deep nose with blackberries and subtle black dates, Chinese herbal medicine, porcini, chili chocolate and cocoa beans. Classic Amarone palate with an excellent balance between juicy freshness and dried fruit. Outstanding tannin quality here, with lots of resolve and finesse. Long and rather subtle, too. Textbook reference for quality Amarone today, with some modern drinkability despite the 16.5% alcohol. Delicious now, but better to hold for extra complexity." James Suckling

"A potent wine with a big, fiery personality with great impact. A lighter, perfumed, violet-accented aroma opens to reveal intense black and red fruit flavours with a delightful touch of herbal complexity on the edges. The tannins are firm, but the concentration gives promise for further aging." Decanter

Beautiful Amarone Riserva with well-proportioned aromas of ripe dark fruit and noble notes of leather, spices and sweet tobacco. Flows densely and full-bodied across the palate with remarkable depth, breadth and purity. An opulent wine that lingers long and very harmonious. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dense, thick and compact with dried and fresh black fruit, walnuts and crushed stones. Full-bodied with fine tannins that are well sunk in, but another year or two should complete the job. Quite a plump feel now, but this will even out with bottle age. Built to last. Cellar this until at least 2024." James Suckling

Amarone Classico is made from grapes grown in the vineyards of the classic Valpolicella area at the entrance to the Marano Valley. The drying process of the carefully selected grapes takes about 120 days. After fermentation, the wine matures in wooden barrels for at least 3 years.

Dark cherries, plums, smoke, mint, liquorice, sweet herbs and crushed rose petals swirl around in the glass as the wine gradually opens. Lively and lively, it features an expressive and well-defined personality and seriousness. For all its depth, the 2017 edition is an almost weightless Amarone built on finesse and elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright shimmering ruby red. Finely marked on the nose, slightly barrel-spicy, savoury cherry and plum fruit, as well as blood orange and rosehip on the finish, white pepper. Very juicy and radiant on the palate, compact and polished, with tension and vibration until the final." Falstaff

"Exotic spices and dusty black cherry are complemented by a vivid notes of cinnamon and dried flowers as the remarkably pretty 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico opens in the glass. This is cool-toned and seamless in feel, coasting across the palate with mineral-tinged red berries, hints of sour citrus and exotic spices, all energized by brilliant acidity. The 2017 finishes long, lightly structured and staining without a hint of its 16.5% abv and amazing balance." Vinous

"This shows excellent intensity on the nose, with suggestive notes of sweet raspberries, Christmas spices, nutmeg and hints of salted plums, caramel and chocolate. Very flavorful, but agile and silky on the medium-to full-bodied palate. Signature Amarone warmth and bittersweet berry and chocolate in the finish, with some savory and sweet spice, too. Long and complex." James Suckling

The grapes for the house's Amarone classic come from the vineyards of the ancestral home in Negrar, the vast majority of them from the top Pojega site from vines that are around 35 years old. They are 100% dried in small boxes in the historic rooms of Pojega. The 2015 edition is allowed to carry the addition Riserva for the first time and offers an ideal balance between bright acidity and extract sweetness. Full-bodied and concentrated, but always fresh and lively. An Amarone that has all the components to mature excellently. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, rich ruby red. In the nose after milk coffee, cinnamon powder, rich cherries and plums, in the aftertaste noble use of wood. On the palate with clear fruit play, opens radiant and full, juicy, spans a wide arc into the final." Falstaff

"The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Villa Rizzardi is dark and imposing in the glass, grumbling up with ashen crushed stone, tobacco and black cherries offset by a hint of candied citrus. This is velvety and weighty, almost glycerol, yet it remains cool and collected, with mineral-tinged red berries and sweet inner florals. It tapers off long, leaving the palate drenched in opulent ripe red and blue fruits, as hints of dark chocolate and tobacco linger." Vinous

"Super, linear, modern-style Amarone with a lovely blend of fresh and dried fruit on the nose and palate. Focused spice adds to the complexity. Full-bodied with slightly firm tannins that are coated with spice, bright fruit and minerals. Focused and long, but still tight. This reads 16.5%, but there’s certainly no alcohol alert on the nose or palate. Excellent quality here, but wait. This is for the cellar." James Suckling

Amarone Case Vecie takes its name from the vineyard of the same name in the municipality of Grezzana in Valpantena. It is an exceptional parcel where, thanks to the altitude and exposure, the grapes ripen slowly and consistently even in the most difficult years. The late harvest allows the grapes to be stored in a cooler season and to undergo a slow and long drying process that develops the characteristic aromas. A wine that brings out the natural characteristics of the high mountain climate: a true Amarone delle "Vigne Alte".

Intense ruby red. Case Vecie takes its time to open up in the glass. It seduces with a rather unobtrusive but also meditative expression and draws the eye to a pretty bouquet of blackberries, lavender and violets. The palate reveals pure elegance, resting on a core of lively acids and at the same time an impressive density with radiant black fruits that gain in volume and depth towards the end. Cherries, sweet spices, mocha and dark floral notes run through the dramatically long final. The harmony and balance is already amazing and will become even more refined with further bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, noble ruby red. Fragrant and expressive nose, of wild strawberries, raspberries, fine tobacco, a hint of noble wood, in the reverberation delicate nuances of wet stone and blood orange. Very polished on the palate, with ripe, red berry fruit, underpinned by fine spice, tightly meshed tannin accompanies the drinking flow, fine salty notes in the final." Falstaff

"The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Case Vecie seduces with a beguiling and lifted mix of crushed stone, dusty rose and bright cherry. This is dark and velvety, moody in feel yet seductive and pliant, simply harmonious, mixing salty minerals and ripe rich red fruits and spices, hints of mocha and inner violet florals. There’s simply so much going on here. The 2016 tapers off incredibly long and structured. It’s still easy to like today with floral rose and violet tones, along with a bitter twang of balsamic spice. A simply stunning Case Vecie." Vinous

The star from Tenuta Sant'Antonio: A rich dark ruby red, its bouquet of wild fruits, black pepper, tobacco and spices is a delight for the nose. Fruity and full-bodied, yet velvety and very sophisticated in its character - an austere, characterful and elegant Amarone, whose terrificfinish is accompanied by noble tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep garnet. In the nose at first discreetly of black tea, then of ripe forest berries, rose hips, in the reverberation light spicy tones. Full and radiant on the palate, opens on elegant spicy tones, nice drinking flow, compact finish." Falstaff

"Very potent aromas of blackcurrants and toasted oak with hints of eucalyptus and black-cherry liqueur, following through to a full palate with firm tannins that drive the fruit on through the long finish. There’s a kind of raw, almost rough-and-ready character to this that’s a bit hard work now. Will even out with bottle age. One for the cellar." James Suckling

"The Tenuta Sant'Antonio 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli is a dark and brooding wine packed tight with richly concentrated black fruit delivered in thick and lasting layers. The bouquet peels back to reveal dark plum and baked blackberry, but there is also a major focus on spice, tar, barbecue smoke and teriyaki. The wine makes a wide and large impact on the palate. It shows enormous textural richness and softly integrated tannins. You can age this blend over the long haul." Robert Parker

"A unique yet beguiling mix of smoked meats, lavender and violets evolves into dusty black berries and currants as the 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli blossoms in the glass. It’s velvety-smooth yet spicy and mineral in style, with penetrating dark red fruits giving way to dark chocolate, balsam herbs and building tannins. This tapers off remarkably long and primary, yet it maintains amazing freshness, leaving exotic inner florals and spices to linger. The 2016 is a gentle giant of an Amarone that will need a little time to show its best. It spent three years refining in neutral Tonneaux." Vinous

Pietro dal Cero thrives on the extensive and sunny vineyard Luxinum at the foot of the Monti Lessini. A magnificent, dark ruby-red Amarone. Its lush aromas range from lovely floral nuances to fruity sour cherry and blackberry to balsamic notes such as star anise, melding together in the multi-layered bouquet. On the palate, there are hints of dark chocolate, memories of tobacco, coffee and cardamom as well as a hint of mint. A full-bodied, complex wine, the pronounced tannin velvety caresses the palate, a fresh lively acidity brings lightness and freshness to the long finish, which benefits from nutty accents. SUPERIORE.DE

"An expansive wine: ripe blueberry, plum, star anise, chocolate, balsamic nuances and vanilla. Supple tannins and a fresh acidity, plus a finish with pleasant toasted notes, coffee and tobacco. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina, dried for four months, provide volume and long-lasting finesse. The Dal Cero siblings can do more than just Lugana!" Vinum

"Rich, hearty ruby red with a subtly lightening rim. Open, inviting nose, of dried tomatoes, rich raspberries, a pinch of caramel, as well as fine cloves in the aftertaste, and cherry syrup. On the palate, sturdy, dense and juicy at the same time, opens on clear, dark fruit with polished tannin, nice pressure, great length." Falstaff

"Excellent depth on the nose, with blackberries, orange chocolate and a floral lift. Some graphite and a hint of dried blackberry, too. The palate is concentrated, yet fresh and juicy, with very tight tannins that melt into the flavorful, full-bodied palate, before a lengthy, bittersweet finish. Juicy and focused, despite the slight warmth at the end." James Suckling

Intense, bright ruby red. Very clear aroma of ripe cherries, cassis, elderberries and plums, in the background sandalwood, cloves and white pepper. Grandiose fruit on the palate, lots of grippy tannin, complex, long and multilayered. An exciting, still quite young wine with enormous potential for many, many years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, bright ruby. Very clear and intense nose of blueberries and dark cherry juice, some tobacco in the background. Round and supple in attack and course, opens with fine, grippy tannin, embedded in lots of sweet melting, dark chocolate in the finish." Falstaff

"The Tedeschi 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi is brawnier, heavier and shows even more tarry spice than we saw in the 2013 vintage that I tasted at the same time. Aged in oak casks for four years, the blend is 30% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and 10% complementary grapes from a 2.5-hectare vineyard with calcareous marl soils with streaks of yellow. This Riserva also shows more ripeness and ultimately more sweetness with cherry cola on the close." Robert Parker

"The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi takes things to another level. It coats the glass with a deep purple sheen while wafting up a dark and alluring bouquet of currants, raisins, black licorice and a lifting note of spiced citrus. There are depths of velvety texture here, offset by juicy acids and tart red fruits that saturate all they touch, leaving a complex coating of savory spices, minerals and fine tannins. This is structured, long, packed full of character, yet with a balance that will carry it for many years in the cellar. Wow." Vinous

Strong garnet red colour, the bouquet is reminiscent of dried fruits, along with liquorice and subtle spices. On the palate, the wine is full and velvety with hints of cherry and vanilla. Polished tannins, a fine salt note and a well-dosed acidity lead this extremely elegant Amarone into a brilliant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, radiant ruby red. Multi-layered and clear on the nose, of tree-ripened plums, cherries, delicate vanilla note, precious wood, then dried blood orange and dried rose petal. On the palate radiant and with clear fruit, shows beautiful juiciness, compact and with tight tannin, everything is wonderfully balanced, exciting until the final." Falstaff

"The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico pulls you close to the glass with its beguiling bouquet, mixing spicy tangerine and hints of animal musk, giving way to black cherries, rose and cedar spice box. It’s potent and elegant, yet elevated by bright acidity and a cool-toned core of saline-minerals. Sour cherry and exotic spices linger under an air of rosy florals with a chalk-like smoky note. This is only lightly structured and a total pleasure to taste today." Vinous

"A rich hint of tarry smoke on the nose is more subtle on the palate in this harmonious red, underscoring an expressive range of black cherry, dried fig, espresso and the loamy earth and herb aromatics of a forest floor. Tangy citrus peel acidity and fine-grained tannins provide fine definition through to the lightly chewy finish." Wine Spectator

"Very rich black fruit on the nose with a ground-base of blackcurrants, tainted with notes of prunes and dates. Smoky-spice notes add complexity. Full-bodied with intense, exotic black-fruit flavors, just as on the nose. Firm tannins and good acidity complete the picture. Good intensity and drive here. Drinkable even now, but best from 2023, when the tannins will be softer." James Suckling

"The Allegrini 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico shows dark fruit and spice that all point to the hot and dry conditions of this vintage. The wine is balanced with a good amount of dark fruit intensity but no overtly jammy or baked fruit. That dense fruit wraps thickly over the palate, supported by backend aromas of charred spice and campfire embers." Robert Parker

Powerful, energetic and extremely racy Amarone from one of the most renowned producers of Valpolicella. It is spicy and delicious, yet never cloying or overloaded. It is full-bodied but never opulent, and it shows character and finesse rather than heavy-handed extract and muscle. As it matures, it will continue to grow in elegance and document the class and skill of the Tedeschi family in a masterful way. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, rich ruby with garnet rim. Finely marked nose with rich notes of cherry, some cardamom, capers in the background. Tight and dense in attack and course, emphatically dry style, builds up rich pressure, long finish." Falstaff

"There is an unbelievable amount of vibrant, unbridled energy in the 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi. Zesty black cherry, sage, brown spice, cacao and white smoke can all be found here. It’s textural yet juicy in character, mixing savory and sweet with its display of ripe red and black fruits. Long and saturating to the senses, but never cloying, it tapers off with a hint of bitter dark chocolate. While this may not have the power of bigger vintages, it makes up for that in character and sheer drinkability." Vinous

"Crushed pine and green olive notes lend a savory edge to this dense, tightly knit red, enmeshed with baked black currant and spice box flavors and racy minerality. Sleek and mouthwatering, this full-bodied example shows zesty spice and herb elements lingering on the grippy finish." Wine Spectator

"There’s a surprisingly herbal note to this, reminiscent of peppercorns and bell pepper, but that only adds to the impression of dark cherries, dark plums and elderberry compote. Hints of vanilla and cloves. Round and very mouth-filling on the palate with a plethora of menthol, asphalt and tar, coating every extremity of the mouth. The finish has an ever-so-slight, sweet impression, but there’s firmness aplenty." James Suckling

"This 2013 Amarone, from 55- to 60-year-old vines in the Capitel Monte Olmi vineyard, shows Tedeschi back on form. 'I like this vertical style of Amarone,' comments Riccardo Tedeschi. It has a bright, pure, youthful character with notes of eucalyptus and mint. Firm but fine-textured tannins and a soft and silky mid-palate lead to a savoury finish with grip and bite." Decanter

"The Tedeschi 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi is rich and fully intense in a manner only achieved with air-dried fruit in which each cluster is dehydrated to offer more pulp, sugar and alcohol. The Tedeschi family does a great job, and they make some of the most robust and age-worthy bottles you can find. The wine opens to densely extracted blackberry and plum and plenty of exotic spice with tar, cardamom and cola." Robert Parker

Amarone Calcarole is only produced in small quantities in the best vintages and has officially been allowed to bear the label Riserva since the 2015 vintage. The single vineyard of the same name is located above Villa di Rovereti in the heart of Negrar in the Valpolicella Classico region. The vineyard offers ideal conditions for great red wines due to its particularly warm climate and stony soil as well as its south-western exposure. The grapes are 100% dried in small crates in the historic rooms of Pojega. A wonderfully intense balsamic wine with memories of rosemary oil, damp forest floor and dried ginger. On the palate, complex berry flavours and a wonderful depth, Calcarole is thoroughly masculine, energetic and powerful, with tightly woven tannins and clearly structured. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. Fragrant nose, of ripe cherries and ripe plums, dried rose petal, underpinned by fine spice. Compact and noble on the palate, with beautiful juice, shows tight, polished tannin, tightens up nicely and lingers for a long time." Falstaff

"There’s a tight bead of dried red berry and koji berry running through this from start to finish. Along the way are still firm tannins that even out the full-bodied feel and create a focused engine to drive the fruit through the long finish. Feels like a new-wave style of Amarone, with tighter control applied to the dried-fruit character. Delicious now, but will benefit from another year in bottle. Try from 2023." James Suckling

"The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Calcarole is dusty and floral, unexpectedly lifted and airy, showing dried roses and cherries offset by a hint of sweet smoke. This is opulent and rich, like crushed velvet on the palate, with mineral-tinged raspberry and cherry complemented by confectionary spices and balsam herbs. The 2015 somehow maintains amazing energy and finesse but make no mistake about it, this is a big and ripe style for Amarone. That said, you can’t even notice the 17% abv." Vinous

Intense, bright ruby red. Very clear fragrance of ripe cherries, cassis, elderberries and plums, in the background sandalwood, cloves and white pepper. Magnificent fruit on the palate, lots of grippy tannin, complex, long and multi-layered. An exciting, still quite young wine with enormous potential for many, many years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Tobacco leaf and newly cut cigar on the nose. Black pepper to its white. Dark cherries, wild thyme, cranberries in cherry syrup, black olive, Darjeeling tea leaf and cumin seed, whorled into sensuous, deeply silky tannins. Sabrina Tedeschi says that they consistently find minty notes in this wine, and I can see what she means. Gorgeous helical spirals of blood-orange acidity running up and down through the wine. Long, persistent, and like all these Tedeschi wines, exquisitely balanced – there is something truly regal about the bearing of this wine." Jancis Robinson

"Mossy herbs, cherries, bark and dark chocolate on the nose, together with a hint of dark mushroom, following through to a flavorful yet surprisingly elegant palate, despite 17% alcohol. Intense, well balanced and silky." James Suckling

"The historical Amarone of Tedeschi, sourced from 2.5ha of vines in Pedemonte di Valpolicella in the Classico area. The higher clay content here, compared to the limestone soils found at the Maternigo estate, accentuates its huge, dense and bold character. Fragrant aromas of potpourri contrast with hints of meat broth and rich black fruits. Concentrated and focused, its red and black fruit flavours mingle with balsamic freshness and very good acidity, lightening the monolithic weight. Overtones of violet and red fruits on the finish combine with chocolate, coffee and spice, carried by that gum-tingling acidity. Wow!" Decanter

The name says it all: Marne means marl soil, on which the vines for this wonderful Amarone grow. They are over 20 years old and lie in an ideal 180° direction, from south-west to south-east. Rich, shiny ruby red, compact bouquet with intense aromas of plum, black cherry, green tea and tobacco, with a fine chocolate note in the background. The body, coated with fine berry fruit, develops a dynamic taste experience on the palate with sweet fruit melting, taut tannin and a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Brigaldara's Amarone Riserva is a wine born from the desire to interpret Valpolicella in its most original form. The rigorously selected grape material that is its basis is chosen from the best vineyards to bring out the maximum potential of the estate's own sites in Valpolicella.

Garnet red, aromas of pickled fruits, spices, sour cherries, plus nuances of tobacco and cocoa. Brigaldara's Riserva is a big, concentrated "old school" Amarone with a good dose of residual sugar and volatile acidity that give the wine its distinctive style and plenty of complexity. This uncompromising and rich Amarone hits all the right points: Mocha, old leather, smoke, tobacco and liquorice are just some of the exciting components of its long, personality-rich and distinctive finish. An energetic wine in balance between fruit and power, it plays with its class and depth and has secured a place in the appellation's best list with complex and deep tertiary notes. SUPERIORE.DE

"Radiant, shiny ruby red. Inviting, noble nose of dried fruits, cherries, figs, underpinned by a noble fumé note. On the palate, substantial, tightly woven in tannin and savoury, literally shines, spreads elegantly over the tongue, with finesse and elegance until the final." Falstaff

"The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva shows depths of dark exotic spice, mocha, dried cherries, cloves, tobacco and a lifting hint of camphor. This is texturally deep and surprisingly fresh, washing velvety textures across the palate while delivering masses of ripe red and even black fruits, all infused by saline-mineral tones under an air of balsam herbs that forms toward the close. This is hedonism at its best without being sweet. It tapers off long and staining, leaving a gentle buzz of alcoholic warmth that doesn’t take away from the experience at all. Simply stunning. The 2012 Riserva is a parcel from within the Case Vecie vineyard. It’s not to be missed." Vinous

"Candied raspberries, creme de cassis and blood oranges on the nose that are ripe and sun-dried, but still vivid, together with some cinnamon spice and hints of caramel and mushroom savoriness. The palate is tight and juicy with very fine tannins that seamlessly knit the palate, leading to a long yet subtle and elegant finish. This is really something!" James Suckling

Tenuta Missoj is a small vineyard in Mizzole with just 3.5 hectares of vines and is owned by the Campagnola family. The vineyards extend at an altitude of 200 metres on a well-ventilated and exposed hill where the grapes can reach perfect and complete ripeness. The grapes for this Amarone Riserva come from single vineyards and the wine is aged for 24 months in new barriques made of Fleur de Quintessence oak in medium to lightly toasted Allier oak with very fine grain. Further ageing of the wine takes place in the bottle for another 12 months.

Deep ruby red colour with garnet reflections. Developed, fragrant, spicy bouquet with hints of ripe fruit, cherry and vanilla. Intense, soft and pervasive taste, fine tannin structure. Slight bitter almond note on the finish, typical of high-class Amarone, very long and with great potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dried blueberries, raspberries, citrus and tea leaves. Medium to full body, a subtle casing of foursquare tannins to surround ripe but agile berry fruit and a muscular finish. Drink from 2022." James Suckling

Deep bouquet of black berries and cocoa, violets and lavender. The taste with aromas of cherries, blackberries and wild berries, in the long finish the invigorating fresh impressions of medicinal herbs. A stately wine of the upper class. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, bright ruby. Opens on the nose with notes of spicy honey and pine needles, then lots of dark cherry, seems very fresh. On the palate grippy, gripping tannin, coated with sweet fruit, firm pressure, still needs ageing." Falstaff

"Violet, mature black-skinned fruit and new leather are some of the aromas you get on this big, bold red. Powerfully structured, the full-bodied palate features steeped prune, fruitcake and licorice framed in tightly knit, velvety tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"Packaged in a pretty brown label, the Zenato 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Sergio Zenato is very ripe and open with aged aromas of tarry smoke and baked fruit. This inky dark wine feels evolved and further down its evolutionary track than it should be. The 2015 vintage was hot and dry leading up to the appassimento process." Robert Parker

"This red is full-bodied yet bright and graceful, offering a rich range of baked black cherry, fragrant herb, dried fig and smoky mineral flavors, with lively acidity and sleek tannins providing a well-defined frame. Well-spiced and citrusy on the chewy finish." Wine Spectator

"Hand-graded grapes were left to dry for around four months, then fermented 15-20 days on the skins, the wine maturing for at least four years in large oak vessels before another year of ageing in bottle. Dense ruby in colour, this shows an impressively defined sense of terroir with its bright red-cherry fruit and black pepper – typical of Sant’Ambrogio Valpolicella – then the depth of dark chocolate, dried prunes and figs. Creaminess prevails on the off-dry (6g/L) palate, with elegant velvety tannins, refreshing high acidity and the final grip possibly from the Oseleta. A top example from the Classico area, this is a great example to pair with boiled meats and Italian mustard." Decanter

"The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Sergio Zenato is a massive and towering expression that straddles both savory and sweet with a heady display of plum sauce and crushed raspberries complemented by mentholated herbs, licorice and balsamic spice. There are depths of fresh red and black fruits that gain a polished feel as they coast across velvety textures, while vibrant acidity adds verve, further contrasted by a bitter twang of baker’s chocolate. There’s so much going on here that you hardly notice the 2015’s formidable structure up until the very end, where hints of cumin and ginger linger under an air of violet florals. I believe this opulent beauty deserves an official “Wow.” Drink the 2015 now for its primal intensity and extroverted fruit, or put it away for upwards of a decade. It’s a gorgeous Amarone Riserva." Vinous

"An Amarone for the future with terrific richness and tannin power, offering dried fruit, figs, blackberries, bark, mushrooms and hints of wood. Full-bodied and very structured with a powerful finish. It needs a lot of time to come around." James Suckling

Beautiful Amarone Riserva with well-proportioned aromas of ripe dark fruit and noble notes of leather, spices and sweet tobacco. Flows densely and full-bodied across the palate with remarkable depth, breadth and purity. An opulent wine that lingers long and very harmonious. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dense, thick and compact with dried and fresh black fruit, walnuts and crushed stones. Full-bodied with fine tannins that are well sunk in, but another year or two should complete the job. Quite a plump feel now, but this will even out with bottle age. Built to last. Cellar this until at least 2024." James Suckling

Deep bouquet of black berries and cocoa, violets and lavender. The taste with aromas of cherries, blackberries and wild berries, in the long finish the invigorating fresh impressions of medicinal herbs. A noble wine of the upper class. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark purple. A pleasant bouquet with notes of blackberry jam, cocoa and herbs; juicy in the mouth, the tannins fine-grained and well integrated, pleasant, smooth finish to notes of cherry confit and vanilla. Very well done." Vinum

"An inky red, full-bodied and finely knit, layering lightly dusty, supple tannins with notes of black cherry coulis, date fruit, balsamic and iron. Long and silky on the palate, with the tannins emerging to firm the spiced finish." Wine Spectator

"This is a huge and impressive wine, but somehow graceful and subtle. It packs an eclectic array of brambleberry compote, violet essence, eucalyptus, oyster shell, pure iodine, vanilla, resin, tar, cassis, plum liqueur and hot stones. You can only stand back in awe as one shade of fruit appears after the next and a barrage of tannin coats your mouth. Yet, this is gentle, agile and flowing. Nevertheless, its main attraction remains its unashamed, monumental power and muscularity. A haunting wine that sends chills down your spine. An epoch-defining wine for Veneto that harks back to the legends of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Perhaps the best Amarone ever made. Impossible to resist now, but better in 2022." James Suckling