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 strength and concentration go harmoniously together. 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

"Deep dark garnet. Lush berry nose of wild berries, lush raspberry, a hint of strawberry candy and young rose petal. Balanced and polished on the palate, showing savory fruit, comforting flow, with juicy tension and a long finish." Falstaff

"The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Antonio Castagnedi balances dark ripe fruits, sweet spices and rich mocha with savory herbs and violet florals. It’s a silky and energetic effort with cooling acids and minerals, coloring within the lines of refinement while still satiating the senses with masses of ripe black cherries. A bit of heat pokes out through on the finish, yet this is forgivable in my book, as the Antonio Castagnedi tapers off fresh to inner violet florals and a bitter twang of wild berries." Vinous

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

"Powerful ruby garnet. Opens with notes of tobacco and licorice, ripe cherry behind. On the palate powerful, very well developed, grippy tannin, well integrated, long finish." Falstaff

"The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 3 CRU has a sweetly spiced and opulent bouquet, showing candied cherries, blueberries, clove, butter cream and milk chocolate. It’s deeply textural and soothing, enveloping the palate in ripe blackberries and plums with mineral underpinnings, feeling weighty but perfectly balanced by brisk acids, with a more tart set of wild berries coming forward toward the close. This finishes like a black hole of structure and residual primary fruit, which leads me to believe that a few more years of cellaring may reveal even further depths. It’s an Amarone of contrasts that keeps you coming back to the glass." Vinous

Impeccable Amarone from the Valpantena subzone with a promising bouquet of dark cherries, sweet spices and earthiness. At the palate continuous and complex with elegant reverberation. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling medium dense ruby garnet. Very clear nose with notes of ripe plum, some blood orange, sealing wax in the background. Round and smooth on the palate, unfolds with ripe cherry, grippy tannin, good pressure on the final." Falstaff

The name says it all: Marne means marl soil, on which the vines for this wonderful Amarone grow. They are at least 20 years old and lie in an ideal 180° direction - from south-west to south-east. Rich, dense colour, compact bouquet with intense aromas of plum, green tea and tobacco, in the background a fine chocolate note. The powerful body changes at the palate into a dynamic taste experience with sweet fruit melting, taut tannin and long reverberation. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant ruby with garnet glints. Opens with spicy notes of cardamom, some olive paste, lots of black cherry. Lots of grippy tannin on the palate, shows good nerve, coated with lots of ripe berry fruit, clean and long." Falstaff

"Aromas of crushed mint, rosemary, blue flowers and hazelnut are front and center. On the brawny palate, tightly knit, velvety tannins accompany prune, nutmeg and espresso." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Marne 180 boasts a fruit-forward and ripe style, yet one that’s hard to resist. Here I’m finding masses of black cherries, raisins, clove, dark chocolate and a hint of undergrowth. It’s velvety-smooth and polished, quite elegant in fact, with ripe wild berries and sweet inner spice offset by stimulating acids. A coating of rounded tannins lingers, but it never gets in the way of this showy wine's performance." Vinous

"There's a sense of finesse to this concentrated red, with the fine tannins providing a plush frame for well-knit flavors of ripe red and black currant, wild sage, red licorice and graphite-laced mineral that linger on the mouthwatering finish." Wine Spectator

"The flashy dark fruit here is impressive and captivates while running through various shades of dark licorice, dark cherries and dark plums. Hints of tee-tree and eucalyptus oil. Full-bodied and plush, yet tightly woven and rather savory. This is a delicious Amarone with a powerful, chewy backbone of tannins. Drink from 2023." James Suckling

"Referring to the marly soil and 180-degree exposure, Tedeschi's Marne 180 is crafted from the estate's hillside vineyards in eastern Valpolicella. Besides the requisite Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, it includes a handful of lesser-known grape varieties indigenous to the zone - like Negrara, Rossignola, Forselina and Croatina. An exuberant Amarone that is youthful and clean, this has aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and mint which tumble out of the glass then give way to pure dark cherry and sandalwood. Full, rich and luscious, it has smooth, caressing tannins and bright acid to refresh, lingering with plum and dried violet. This epitomises the vibrancy of the 2016 vintage." Decanter

Zenato's Amarone is all about elegance, with ripe fruit at the heart of its inviting bouquet with light tones of aromatic herbs. On the palate, its overripe power and warm, expansive flavor are evident. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, sparkling ruby. Very appealing and complex nose of plum, black cherry and a touch of leather. Good concentration on the palate, shows itself also quite juicy, plump fruit, fine-meshed tannin, in the final firm pressure." Falstaff

"Zesty, vibrant and exotic, the 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico makes a serious impression with its unique bouquet of dried roses, lime zest, cherry sauce, plums and a dusting of crushed violet candies. It’s silky and pliant in texture, motivated by juicy acids, with a mix of ripe strawberry, pomegranate and cranberry sauce, as balsamic spices and hints of almond come forward toward the close. There is so much going on here, as the 2016 resonates on wild berry fruit and sweet inner florals. This may be a more opulent expression of the vintage, but it’s built to last, and sure to win a lot of fans." Vinous

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

The grapes for the Amarone classic of the house come from the vineyards of the ancestral seat in Negrar, the vast majority of them from the top location Pojega from vines that are about 35 years old. They are 100% dried in small crates in the historic rooms of Pojega. The 2013 edition offers an ideal balance between bright acidity and extract sweetness. Full-bodied and concentrated, but always fresh and lively. An Amarone that brings all the components to age superbly. SUPERIORE.DE

"Villa Rizzardi comes from the Pojega vineyard, at the heart of the Guerrieri Rizzardi estate when it was founded at the beginning of the 19th century. Here, 30-year-old vines are planted on clay and limestone soil. Winemaking is focused on long ageing, with one year in barrel and two years in large botti. The result is a crowd-pleasing wine with a precise definition of fruit alongside overt oaky notes of vanilla and a supple mouthfeel despite very high extract." Decanter

"The 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Villa Rizzardi is a rich and decadent style, showing plum sauce and ripe black cherries with notes of milk chocolate and sweet tobacco. It’s velvety-smooth and glyceral in feel, mixing ripe red and black fruits with contrasting notes of cinnamon, bitter coffee, dark chocolate and licorice. Powerful, concentrated and structured, this lingers on the palate for well over a minute. While ready to please today, the Villa Rizzardi will also excel through medium-term cellaring. I must say that this is really quite enjoyable." Vinous

The star from Tenuta Sant'Antonio: A rich dark ruby red, its scent 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, elegant Amarone, whose terrificfinish is accompanied by noble tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aged three years in tonneaux and produced with a minimum of added sulphur - and that's an achievement in Amarone: clean-bodied nose, warm-scented black cherries, herbs and dark chocolate; pithy construction with robust, crisp tannins, shows character through to the final." Vinum

"This is quite an unusual Amarone with plenty of black pepper, blackberry bush and eucalyptus, punctuating an otherwise blackberry-focused nose. peppery and spicy. Full-bodied, open-knit and fruit-forward. Juicy on the finish." James Suckling

"The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli is youthfully inward and understated with a display of mineral-tinged blackberries, dried flowers and hints of animal musk. The textures are silky, ushering in a balanced mix of savory red fruits, wild herbs and inner florals that amass toward the close. Cooling acids linger, adding freshness as notes of hard red candies and a hint of licorice slowly taper off." Vinous

Pietro dal Cero thrives on the extensive and sunny Luxinum vineyard at the foot of the Monti Lessini. A magnificent dark ruby red Amarone. Its lush aromas range from sweet floral nuances, fruity sour cherry and blackberry to balsamic notes such as star anise and merge in the complex 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 caresses the palate velvety, a fresh lively acidity brings lightness and freshness to the long finish, which benefits from nutty accents. SUPERIORE.DE

"A blue-fruit-tinged Amarone, this shows lots of dark cherries, treacle tart, Chinese plum liqueur and Christmas pudding, as well as hints of tar. Full body, ripe and round tannins, pretty acidity and a full-throttle finish." James Suckling

"Dense sweet chocolate, sultana and sweet spice nose. Big, round, intense and deep palate of sweet ripe fruit and spice; long, fresh finish." Decanter

Intense, bright colour, very clear scent of ripe cherries, a bit of plums, cloves and white pepper in the background. Grandiose fruit on the palate, much grippy tannin, long. An exciting, still quite young wine with enormous potential for many, many years. SUPERIORE.DE

"An Amarone that shows balance, depth and beauty. Full-bodied yet showing a refined and ultra-fine texture. Intense finish of light chocolate, nuts and ripe berries. Goes on for minutes on the finish. A triumph." James Suckling

Intense, bright colour, very clear scent of ripe cherries, a bit of plums, cloves and white pepper in the background. Grandiose fruit on the palate, much grippy tannin, long. An exciting, still quite young wine with enormous potential for many, many years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, sparkling ruby red. Concentrated and multi-layered nose of warm, ripe forest berries, blackcurrant, black elderberries, underlaid with fine sandalwood. Powerful with much tension on the palate, builds up in many layers, fruit, spice, densely woven and juicy tannin, ends with firm pressure, can still mature, is now already an experience." Falstaff

"Fully saturated red. Deep, rich aromas of balsamic cocoa, blackberry jam and aromatic herbs. Sweet and creamy in the mouth, with the depth and intensity of fresh dark fruit and balsamic flavors to support its oakiness. Rich and savory, this finishes with excellent energy and outstanding grip and length. The Capitel Monte Olmi always showcases a stronger balsamic note than Tedeschi’s entry level Amarone. " Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

"Intriguing and aromatic on the nose, with lovely sage and incense character, here's a sleek, full-bodied red that reins in its power to a tightly-knit core of raspberry puree, Earl Grey tea leaf and rich, loamy earth flavors that linger on the long and fragrant finish." Wine Spectator

"If you like big Amarones, this one is big with a capital B. The most robust and powerful of the bunch, the 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi is also sophisticated and integrated, despite its huge alcohol content at 17%. I knew the alcohol was high, but I would have never guessed it was that high, and that speaks to the relative balance achieved here. It is sweet, robust and richly layered and textured in the mouth. This is a huge wine that will make you very happy, very fast. The blend is 30% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and a 10% mix of Oseleta, Negrara, Dindarella, Croatina and Forselina, which comes from the Monte Olmi vineyard in the Pedemonte hills. The grapes are dried for a lengthy four months. This is the estate's flagship label, and it became a Riserva starting with the 2009 vintage." Robert Parker

"Very ripe morello cherries, dark plums, cigar box, kirsch and stemmy undertones, but also orange rind and plenty of floral elements. Full body, powerful and grainy tannins and a dense yet driven finish. Extremely pure fruit. This is always reserved and beautiful." James Suckling

Strong ruby red. Opulent aromas of dark berries, mint, spices, forest floor and undergrowth. In the balanced, powerful drink very clear, juicy and tight. Spreads comfortably with notes of plum, raspberry compote and chocolate. This great Amarone captivates from the first sip - its long, silky finish leaves nothing to be desired. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, brilliant ruby red. Medicinal tones in the nose, balsamic, eucalyptus, black currants, in the reverberation easily after rubber. Fresh and juicy on the palate, stretches clear and long across the tongue, concentrated yet fruity, precise, has lively acidity, long and savoury finish." Falstaff

"Inviting aromas of tilled soil, underbrush and ripe dark-skinned berry lead the nose. The full-bodied concentrated palate delivers prune, raspberry compote, star anise and black pepper alongside big fine-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"The incredible spice, black-plum and bitter cocoa-powder nose of this Amarone rivets you to the spot. Stunning concentration and a breathtaking balance of fruit, tannin and some magic. Very long, silky finish." James Suckling

"The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi shows huge intensity over a robust mouthfeel. I love that eucalyptus balsamic note that comes up at the top, rounded off by softer notes of chocolate and tobacco. The blend is 30% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and a 10% selection of Oseleta, Negrara, Dindarella, Croatina and Forselina. Aging takes place in large Slavonian oak casks. This is a powerful, full-bodied wine with a knockout 17% alcohol punch that makes no apologies for its strength. It comes forward with pride and boastfulness." 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. With increasing maturity, it will further increase in elegance and document the class and skill of the Tedeschi family in a masterful way. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, rich ruby with garnet rim. Finely marked nose with rich notes of cherry, some cardamom, background of capers. 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

Intense, bright ruby red. Very clear fragrance of ripe cherries, cassis, elderberries and plums, in the background sandalwood, cloves and white pepper. Grandiose fruit at the palate, much gripping 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 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

Amarone Calcarole is only produced in the best vintages and then in very small quantities. The single vineyard of the same name is located above Villa di Rovereti in the heart of Negrar in the Valpolicella Classico area. The vineyard offers ideal conditions for great red wines due to its particularly warm climate and stony soil, as well as its southwest 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

"Brightening, medium dense ruby garnet. Very finely marked nose with notes of rosehip, black cherry and some chocolate. Opens on the palate with lots of ripe fruit with sweet melting, then unfolds with grippy, present tannin, nice game, long final." Falstaff

"The decadent 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Calcarole has a rich, dark bouquet that evokes memories of Christmas fruit cakes iced in brown-sugary frosting, served with a mug of hot cocoa. It’s velvety-smooth and full bodied, yet it maintains perfect balance, blending ripe black fruits with exotic spices, mocha and purple inner florals. Nearly a minute goes by and you can still taste lingering notes of dark chocolate contrasted by hints of bitter coffee. While the Calcarole shamelessly flaunts extroverted character, it does so with class. This is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Barbera that’s matured in a combination of barriques and large barrels. Well done." Vinous

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

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

"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

Only nine years after the harvest, this great wine is released for sale: The slow drying of the fully ripe harvested grapes gives this cru its tremendous power and density as well as the extraordinary character with massive ripeness, fruit fullness, beautiful concentration and great elegance. On the palate, Bertani's Amarone demonstrates freshness, noble lightness and great dynamism. An exciting wine and for decades probably the most classic Amarone - quasi the archetype - of the whole appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, rich ruby garnet. Appealing, finely marked nose with notes of ripe dark cherry, cranberry and clove. Substantial and rich on the attack and course, showing lovely ripe fruit, then plenty of savory tannin well embedded in fruit melt, pithy and long." Falstaff

"Density and dryness that really comes together here, after almost 10 years in bottle. It’s very deep and vertical on the palate. Very pure and beautiful crushed cherries, dried flowers, carbon and pumice. Wonderful all round." James Suckling

The Quintarelli family decides rigorously when the top wine can be an Amarone and when - due to the climate and yield - the result is "declassified" and a small amount then named after the nickname of the founder is put on the market. Connoisseurs are almost waiting for it, because this extremely rare drop has it all and does more than justice to the founding father.

Strong, bright ruby red. Complex berry scent with a potpourri of red fruits, notes of fig and a perfectly conducted orchestra of spices. Massive and warm on the palate, of great harmony and depth, the well-defined muscles and a carefully woven tannin framework guide this balsamic red into a long, impressive final. With such outstanding quality, it really doesn't matter now whether the wine is called Amarone or not ... Giuseppe "Bepi" would be proud of the result! SUPERIORE.DE

The colour is intense garnet red, the bouquet is reminiscent of dried fruit, with liquorice and subtle spices. The taste 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

"For a decadent but sleek wine, the ripeness level is spot-on here. It opens with glazed cherries, dried berries, vanilla, eucalyptus, caramel and wet earth, before following through to a dusty palate with tons of dried fruit, supported by fine acidity and a sweet-and-sour character." James Suckling

Strong garnet red colour, the bouquet reminds of dried fruits, in addition liquorice and discreet spices. In the taste the wine is full and velvety with a breath 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

"Dark, rich ruby garnet. Noble spice tones on the nose, of fruit tea, dried rose hips and a hint of blood orange, reverberating with mint and dark chocolate. Rich and lush on the palate, spreads out with great compactness and fruit sweetness, tautly drawn, juicy finish." Falstaff

"Very attractive dried fruit, such as plums, with fig and walnut undertones. Full-bodied with round, polished tannins that are chewy, but very smooth. Flavorful finish." James Suckling

"There’s a dark, mineral-driven complexity to the 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico that keeps you coming back to the glass over and over again. Sometimes it’s licorice, sometimes blackberry or maraschino cherry, but always backed by a mix of autumnal spice, sour citrus and hints of animal musk that intrigue the senses. Velvety-smooth and almost creamy in weight, as sweet red fruits flesh out, taking on nuances of violet candies and cloves toward the close. This is pure elegance, dense yet balanced, and delivering a layer of fine tannins that linger long, as hints of bitter coffee and dark chocolate slowly fade. All of this, and at an amazingly respectable 15.5% abv. Bravo." Vinous

Intense, bright colour, very clear scent of ripe cherries, a little bit of plums, in the background cloves and white pepper. Grandiose fruit on the palate, much handy tannin, long. An exciting, still quite young wine with enormous potential for many, many years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, sparkling ruby. Concentrated and multi-layered nose of warm, ripe forest berries, cassis, black elderberries, underlaid with fine sandalwood. Powerful with a lot of tension on the palate, builds up in many layers, fruit, spice, densely woven and juicy tannin, ends with firm pressure, can still ripen, is already an experience". Falstaff

"Fully saturated red. Deep, rich aromas of balsamic cocoa, blackberry jam and aromatic herbs. Sweet and creamy in the mouth, with the depth and intensity of fresh dark fruit and balsamic flavors to support its oakiness. Rich and savory, this finishes with excellent energy and outstanding grip and length. The Capitel Monte Olmi always showcases a stronger balsamic note than Tedeschi’s entry level Amarone. " Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

"Intriguing and aromatic on the nose, with lovely sage and incense character, here's a sleek, full-bodied red that reins in its power to a tightly-knit core of raspberry puree, Earl Grey tea leaf and rich, loamy earth flavors that linger on the long and fragrant finish." Wine Spectator

"If you like big Amarones, this one is big with a capital B. The most robust and powerful of the bunch, the 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi is also sophisticated and integrated, despite its huge alcohol content at 17%. I knew the alcohol was high, but I would have never guessed it was that high, and that speaks to the relative balance achieved here. It is sweet, robust and richly layered and textured in the mouth. This is a huge wine that will make you very happy, very fast. The blend is 30% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and a 10% mix of Oseleta, Negrara, Dindarella, Croatina and Forselina, which comes from the Monte Olmi vineyard in the Pedemonte hills. The grapes are dried for a lengthy four months. This is the estate's flagship label, and it became a Riserva starting with the 2009 vintage." Robert Parker

"Very ripe morello cherries, dark plums, cigar box, kirsch and stemmy undertones, but also orange rind and plenty of floral elements. Full body, powerful and grainy tannins and a dense yet driven finish. Extremely pure fruit. This is always reserved and beautiful." 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

"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