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

"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 at least 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, 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

"Shimmering ruby red with a sparkling core. In the nose of ripe heart cherries, delicate cigar tobacco, fruit tea, in the aftertaste delicate sealing wax. Gripping and tightly woven tannin on the palate, showing savoury dark berry fruit, lovely nuances of dark chocolate, has grip throughout, lingers long." Falstaff

"An expressive red, revealing a juicy range of sun-dried cherry and strawberry fruit flavors layered with creamy tannins and citrus peel acidity. Well-spiced and lightly zesty throughout, with savory accents of stemmy herbs and tobacco driving the chewy finish." Wine Spectator

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

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

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

"Intense aromas of ripe plums, stewed cherries, cassis, vanilla and mocha. Dried flowers and herbs, too. It's full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins. Plush and rich with concentrated layers of dried-fruit, sweet-spice and toffee notes. Long and luscious." 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 balance is already amazing, the still youthful structure of the 2015 is hardly noticeable until the end. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby garnet. Very clear, inviting nose, shows notes of pickled cherry, plum, plus dark chocolate. Plays up nicely on the palate, present, fresh fruit with sweet melting, has very good tension, long and salty on the final." Falstaff

"The Brigaldara 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Case Vecie shows a raw and edgy approach to Amarone with ripe fruit flavors on the one hand and brambly or tart notes on the other. This wine delivers hot-vintage ripeness next to angular tones of balsam herb and wet earth." Robert Parker

"Currants and dates on the nose, as well as a balsamic, herbal note. Medium-to full-bodied with intense fruit and still lightly firm, fruit and spice-coated tannins. Long, focused finish. Best in 2023 and onwards." James Suckling

"The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Case Vecie is seductive and intense, leading off with a dazzling display of medicinal cherry, sweet balsamic spices, mentholated herbs and a dusting of cocoa. Its textures are velvety-smooth and dense, ushering in ripe red and black fruits contrasted by a complex mix of minerals and fine tannins that saturate the senses. This dark and beastly Amarone tapers off slowly with youthful structure, as notes of bitter coffee and baker’s chocolate melt away. There’s so much potential here, but the 2015 still needs a few years to come into focus, and it should then continue to evolve slowly for another decade or two." 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

"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

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

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

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

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

Only nine years after the harvest is this great wine 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 - the archetype, so to speak - of the entire appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, very intense ruby. Opens with light mineral notes, then after pickled cherries and rich red berry fruit, underlaid with fine blood orange in the background. Very precise in attack and course, elegant cherry fruit, grippy, dense tannin, opens in many layers, fine melting, now already easy to drink, very juicy, very great development potential." Falstaff

"Mid garnet. So much going on here in the nose! Fruit and dried spices. Makes me want to try an Amarone next time I’m in an Indian restaurant with a good wine list. Really very complex and exciting. So fresh and clean! Dry finish. So unlike the Amarone commercial norm. Really rather thrilling." Jancis Robinson

"Wow. Such a complex nose, with a base of dried cherry, spruced up with hints of mild coffee and walnuts. Then there are dried flowers, wild herbs and spices, such as tarragon and cloves. Subtle hints of dried banana and apricot, too. The palate is full, super sleek, intense and well-balanced, with tight, spice-coated tannins that drive everything forward. Long, long finish. Lovely to taste now, but this already almost ten-year-old will sit comfortably in your cellar for a long while yet." James Suckling

Maternigo means "land of the mother" and is also the name of one of the Tedeschi family's vineyards. The vineyards cover about 33 hectares in the territory of two municipalities, namely the municipality of Tregnago and the municipality of Mezzane di Sotto. The new Cru-Amarone Riserva Maternigo is produced only in the best years, its grapes coming exclusively from the Barila vineyard. This single vineyard was selected after a careful zoning and characterisation of the soil, which is characterised by a very low growth rate and consequently produces grapes rich in structure.

This gives it its own complex and aromatic character, characterised by a high concentration of natural aromatic components in the grapes. This complexity makes for an intense bouquet of red fruits and Mediterranean flowers. On the palate, these notes are echoed, joined by subtle notes of eucalyptus, which give the wine freshness and, at the same time, hints of sweet spices. The impressive result is an elegant wine with great structure and exciting development potential - and a distinctive sensory experience. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich ruby red. In the nose noble and clear, of ripe, rich cherries, red peach, rose hips and forest berry mousse, fine spicy components in the finish. Full-bodied and dense on the palate, opens richly with dark berry fruit components, juicy tannin envelops the fine melting, final long with fine pressure on elderberry syrup." Falstaff

"The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Maternigo is ashy and intense, as tobacco gives way to peppery herbs, dried cherries and dark chocolate. It’s velvety-smooth and glycerol in feel, with a dense wave of ripe red fruits and confectionary spice all carried by saline-minerals and brisk acids. It leaves a staining of rich sweet fruit along with violet and lavender tones while tapering off lightly structured. The 2016 took some time to come together in the glass, yet it really shows the magic of the vintage. Bravo." Vinous

"Shows a lot of reserve on the nose with a tight package of baked red-cherry aromas and some bright mineral, almost wet-stone character. Mediterranean herbs, too. Full-bodied palate that’s again under control, but there’s a dense package of firm, fine tannin, dried fruit and spice waiting to burst out. Hard to believe this is 17% alcohol, it’s so well constructed. This will be superb in a year or two and onwards, if you can resist the temptation now. Best from 2023." James Suckling

The lily is the flower of all flowers in Valpolicella and this exceptional Riserva is dedicated to the best of them. The grapes for this new flagship of the winery, produced in very small quantities, grow on 300-metre-high soils of mainly limestone with some sandy silt in the Monti Garbi district of the municipality of Mezzane di Sotto. The vines have an average age of 40 years and produce only small yields. After harvest, the grapes are selected twice by hand. The Lilium Est is aged for three years in new Bordeaux barriques, the laths of which have been dried outdoors for 36 months. Before it is sold, it remains in the bottle for at least another four years.

Dense ruby red, clear and consistent, olfactory very powerful, extensive and fine. The first impression is of balsamic, almost iodine-like notes, transported by the remarkable alcoholic content, to immediately reveal the characteristic scent of ripe cherries, plums, vanilla and ginger. Tertiary aromas of cocoa, chocolate, tar, almonds, roasted hazelnuts and pipe tobacco follow on the heels. The palate is dry, warm and soft, well supported by a remarkable acidity, of great palatability and equipped with an enveloping tannic structure. As it progresses, it is balanced, very persistent and fine. Undoubtedly a highly elegant, complex wine monument - a strong companion with broad shoulders that will defy time. SUPERIORE.DE

"Compact, dark ruby garnet. Deep nose with notes of plums, molasses and some coriander seeds. Combines power and suppleness, initially shows a lot of juicy, amazingly fresh cherry fruit, then opens up with fine tannin, very polished, juicy, very long final." Falstaff

"Here's a terrific late-release Riserva that gives you ample perspective into the aging potential of the hearty wines of the Veneto that are so carefully crafted with air-dried fruit. The Tenuta Sant'Antonio 2010 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Lilium Est is a seriously powerful wine from an epic vintage. This wine leaves a big impact, there's no escaping that brawn, shaped by the appassimento process in which the grapes lose up to one-third of their water volume before being pressed. The results deliver more extract, more sugar, ultimately more alcohol and much more flavor intensity and textural richness. The finish shows cinnamon, black tar, campfire smoke and syrupy blackberry preserves. It's almost too much of a good thing." Robert Parker

"Intense dried black fruit with immediate notes of graphite, kalonji spice and dark chocolate. Much more on the nose if you linger. Full-bodied with an almost fruit-liqueur sensation on the palate. Yet, the engaging, still lightly firm tannins are fruit-based and the overall balance is potent but resolved. Sitting right in the sweet spot now, but will age for an age. Super quality here." James Suckling

The Quintarelli family decides rigorously when the top wine may be an Amarone and when - due to the climate and yield - the result is "declassified" and a small quantity then named after the founder's nickname 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 spice orchestra. 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 this outstanding quality, it really doesn't matter whether the wine is called Amarone or not ... Giuseppe "Bepi" would be proud of the result! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2014 Rosso del Bepi is understated yet very pretty, showing nuances of woodland berries laced with sour citrus, savory herbs and a hint of animal muskiness. This washes across the palate with silken textures, yet delivers masses of tart red berries and minerals that add grippy tension. It’s remarkably fresh and zesty in character, and it’s amazing to think that the 2014 underwent the same appassimento that an Amarone did in better years. This tapers off spicy with a sour citrus twang under inner violet florals, as round tannins linger." Vinous

Only nine years after the harvest is this great wine 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 - the archetype, so to speak - of the entire appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, very intense ruby. Opens with light mineral notes, then after pickled cherries and rich red berry fruit, underlaid with fine blood orange in the background. Very precise in attack and course, elegant cherry fruit, grippy, dense tannin, opens in many layers, fine melting, now already easy to drink, very juicy, very great development potential." Falstaff

"Mid garnet. So much going on here in the nose! Fruit and dried spices. Makes me want to try an Amarone next time I’m in an Indian restaurant with a good wine list. Really very complex and exciting. So fresh and clean! Dry finish. So unlike the Amarone commercial norm. Really rather thrilling." Jancis Robinson

"Wow. Such a complex nose, with a base of dried cherry, spruced up with hints of mild coffee and walnuts. Then there are dried flowers, wild herbs and spices, such as tarragon and cloves. Subtle hints of dried banana and apricot, too. The palate is full, super sleek, intense and well-balanced, with tight, spice-coated tannins that drive everything forward. Long, long finish. Lovely to taste now, but this already almost ten-year-old will sit comfortably in your cellar for a long while yet." James Suckling

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico La Fabriseria shows itself massive and with seductive complexity. Deep bouquet of black berries and cocoa, violets and lavender. The taste is immensely fruity with aromas of cherry, blackberry and wild berry, plus the invigorating impressions of medicinal herbs again and again. The finish is elegant and long with a fine sweetness and a hint of mint. For us, one of the greatest wines of the Valpolicella! SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, bright ruby. Very clear and intense nose, full of dark currant sweets, dark cherry juice, spicy honey and some resin in the background. Dense and full-bodied in the attack and course, shows lots of grippy, dense tannin, flows clearly and calmly, dark pepper in the finish, very much storage potential." Falstaff

"A pure beam of crème de cassis and baked black cherry fruit flavors is accented by an enticing range of sandalwood, licorice and Earl Grey tea leaf notes in this finely meshed, medium- to full-bodied red. Long and mouthwatering, with a rich hint of fig cake and a tang of minerally iron playing on the lightly chewy finish." Wine Spectator

"Crushed violet, baked plum, underbrush and new leather aromas mingle together in the glass. Velvety and densely concentrated, the bold, delicious palate doles out mouthfuls of raspberry jam, steeped prune and baking spice before a tobacco finish. Despite its big, bold structure, it boasts refined tannins that provide seamless support and polish." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva La Fabriseria trades power for elegance and feminine beauty. Notes of mineral-laced ripe cherries, currants, sage and cocoa gain in volume and depth with time in the glass. It’s seamless and silky, coasting across a core of vibrant acids, with juicy red and black fruits giving way to sweet spice and pretty inner florals. A bitter hint of coffee and savory herbal notes join with tart blackberry and resonate for well over a minute. This is simply gorgeous." Vinous

"The top-shelf wine from the Tedeschi family is their 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva la Fabriseria. The wine is a careful assembly of 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella and 5% Oseleta, all aged in oak for 48 months. The appassimento process has produced a powerful and muscular wine that opens to thick layers of black fruit, prune, dried cherry, spice, mesquite smoke, iron and sweet rum cake. With only 2,500 bottles made, this full-bodied, blockbuster wine is a lesson in all the beautiful excesses that extreme Amarone has to offer." Robert Parker

Maternigo means "land of the mother" and is also the name of one of the Tedeschi family's vineyards. The vineyards cover about 33 hectares in the territory of two municipalities, namely the municipality of Tregnago and the municipality of Mezzane di Sotto. The new Cru-Amarone Riserva Maternigo is produced only in the best years, its grapes coming exclusively from the Barila vineyard. This single vineyard was selected after a careful zoning and characterisation of the soil, which is characterised by a very low growth rate and consequently produces grapes rich in structure.

This gives it its own complex and aromatic character, characterised by a high concentration of natural aromatic components in the grapes. This complexity makes for an intense bouquet of red fruits and Mediterranean flowers. On the palate, these notes are echoed, joined by subtle notes of eucalyptus, which give the wine freshness and, at the same time, hints of sweet spices. The impressive result is an elegant wine with great structure and exciting development potential - and an unmistakable sensory experience. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich ruby red. In the nose noble and clear, of ripe, rich cherries, red peach, rose hips and forest berry mousse, fine spicy components in the finish. Full-bodied and dense on the palate, opens richly with dark berry fruit components, juicy tannin envelops the fine melting, final long with fine pressure on elderberry syrup." Falstaff

"Shows a lot of reserve on the nose with a tight package of baked red-cherry aromas and some bright mineral, almost wet-stone character. Mediterranean herbs, too. Full-bodied palate that’s again under control, but there’s a dense package of firm, fine tannin, dried fruit and spice waiting to burst out. Hard to believe this is 17% alcohol, it’s so well constructed. This will be superb in a year or two and onwards, if you can resist the temptation now. Best from 2023." James Suckling

A masterpiece of depth, tradition and elegance! This Amarone matures for about eight years in the barrel before it sees the light of the bottle. The archetype of the Venetian royal wine presents itself multi-layered and dense and of a masterly complexity. On the nose, dried fruits, dates, nuts, earthy notes and the fine aromas of dried sultanas. On the palate, again this infinite depth, paired with an elegance and refinement that only the Quintarelli family masters. A red wine from a better world in which one would like to linger longer! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico pulls you toward the glass with an intense display of crushed raspberries and clove, along with hints of tangerine and smoke. This is cool-toned and energetic, with exotic sweet spices and hints of mint giving way to depths of ripe cherries, confectionery spice and cocoa. It possesses a nervous core of acidity, yet also a totally classic feel. There’s a citrusy twist of sweet and sour and vivid inner rose and autumnal spices. The 2013 is powerful and deep, yet also full of energy, tapering off long and lightly structured. It's just begging for a little time in the cellar to fully come together." Vinous

"The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico pours from its heavy glass bottle to reveal a dark ruby and shiny garnet appearance. The bouquet takes a few moments before it comes into focus, and even then, this wine holds back a bit, especially at this young stage in what promises to be a very long cellar life. It's in no rush. The mouthfeel is especially impressive, and it brings a heightened level of texture and life to the wine. Black fruit and dried plum segue to spice, campfire ash, camphor and grilled herb. A silky and polished mouthfeel is capped by a powerful 16.5% alcohol content. This vintage will appeal to Quintarelli purists who have plenty of time to wait." Robert Parker