A list with photos, descriptions, tasting notes, and food pairings of the best Amarone della Valpolicella wines.
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INDEX:
BEST AMARONE OF VALPOLICELLA recommended by Jean Marco Palmieri
What are the best Amarone della Valpolicella?
Discover the wines recommended by Italy’s Finest Wines with our tasting so that everyone can find the ideal wine according to their tastes and preferences.
For further details, also read the articles dedicated to the producers who produce Amarone della Valpolicella.
Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva 2006 – Le Ragose
The bouquet is characterized by notes of dried figs, embellished with touches of tobacco, bitter cocoa powder, and medicinal herbs.
The palate is full and enveloping, supported by well-defined tannins and a lively acidity that leads to a fresh and pleasantly persistent finish.
Fermentation in stainless steel tanks for about 20-30 days with indigenous yeasts, then racked into steel storage tanks for 8-10 months. Followed by aging for 7/8 years in Slavonian oak barrels with a capacity of 50 hectoliters.
Led by Paolo, Marco Galli, and the third generation represented by Marta, Le Ragose confirms itself as one of the most virtuous wineries for its artisanal, low-intervention style. Contributing to the renewed success are the vineyards, positioned in the most suitable areas of the entire appellation
La Mattonara 2011 – Zymé
On the nose, it opens up in a graceful dance of sour cherries and introspective shades of withered red flowers, evolving into notes of roasting, medicinal herbs, and pine resin.
On the palate, it is lively, with compact tannins well balanced by a delightful acidity that creates rhythm and dynamism. Endlessly persistent finish. Vinified in concrete tanks with the skins for at least 2 months, with fermentation carried out by indigenous yeasts at natural temperatures. Subsequently, racked and aged for about 10 years in large barrels and Slavonian oak tonneaux. Bottled in the tenth year of aging, with further bottle aging for at least 1 year.
Zymé, led by Celestino Gaspari, confirms itself as one of the most virtuous interpreters among Amarone della Valpolicella for its ability to combine tradition with oenological precision. Fully deserving among the best.
Amarone ‘Casa Vecie’ 2016 – Brigaldara
On the nose, there are notes of carob and raspberry jam enriched by balsamic strokes of licorice root, pine resin, and tar.
The palate is dense with compact tannins perfectly outlined. Excellent saline trail on the finish that leaves the mouth fresh and satisfied. The grapes are selected in the vineyard and then dried in crates placed in the fruit drying room. Aging for 2 years in small wood and 2 years in large wood.
The historic Brigaldara estate, now led by Antonio and Lamberto, offers an interpretation of Amarone della Valpolicella that truthfully expresses the nature of its fruit.
Deservedly among the best Amarone della Valpolicella for its ability to highlight elegance rather than power.
Amarone Classico Della Valpolicella ‘Pergole Vece’ 2018 – Le Salette
Sharp aromatic spectrum dominated by wild strawberries, sour cherries in spirits, potpourri of violets and red roses embellished with balsamic tones and slightly woody sweet spices.
On the palate, it is voluminous, characterized by a dense and substantial sip, embroidered on an exceptionally velvety tannic structure well balanced by a pronounced savory vein. Long-lasting and clean finish.
Obtained from the three best “cru” vineyards, from vines over 60 years old. The grapes are manually selected, and the appassimento process occurs naturally. After vinification, the wine ages in first-pass barriques before further refinement in the bottle.
The family-run winery Le Salette by Franco Scamperle offers one of the most captivating interpretations of Amarone, emphasizing balance and drinkability. A wine with ethereal and complex aromas and a soft, enveloping palate. Deservedly among the best Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012 – Bertani
In the aromatic fan, delicate scents of maraschino cherries stand out, enriched by woody and tertiary notes reminiscent of cocoa and roasting.
The palate is broad, rich, round, and enveloping, with long persistence. Hand-harvested grapes and resting until March of the following year, fermentation in concrete and refinement in large Slavonian oak barrels for a minimum of 7 years.
From the iconic and historic cellar of Valpolicella: an elegant, seductive wine of great drinkability and sensational persistence.
Fully deserving among the best producers of Amarone della Valpolicella.
Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva 2017 – Musella
It reveals itself as austere and complex, with notes of sour cherry and strawberry jam, leather, with background hints of herbs, cider, and roasting echoes.
On the palate, it is silky and expansive, with compact tannins synergistically linked with a very pronounced acidity that gives remarkable freshness.
The wine ages for 24 months in French oak tonneaux and larger barrels (700, 1500, and 3500 liters); after bottling, it continues to refine for at least one year before being released.
The historic family-run winery Musella, now led by Maddalena Pasqua di Bisceglie, offers one of the best Amarone della Valpolicella for its traditional and uncompromising character: extravagant and of great freshness.
‘Corta Brà’ Amarone Della Valpolicella Riserva 2016 – Sartori
It galvanizes the nose with sharp aromas of ripe red fruit and spirits, along with delicate woody notes reminiscent of white chocolate, coffee, and tar.
On the palate, it is enveloping and smooth with silky tannins supported by a lively acidity and a savory, mineral finish finely spiced, echoing the fruit’s succulence.
A wine endowed with extraordinary expressiveness, elegance, and fruit clarity:
Sartori, masterfully led by Andrea Sartori, fully confirms its place among the best Amarone della Valpolicella for its elegance and classic character. Excellent value for money.
Amarone della Valpolicella Morar 2013 – Valentina Cubi
It opens fragrantly with clear notes of plum jam and syrupy maraschino cherries, then continues with tones of roasting, black pepper, thyme, licorice, and white chocolate.
On the palate, it is dry, juicy, and enveloping, with a compact and well-defined tannin that makes the drink vibrant. The finish is clean, persistent, with fruity and balsamic hints.
A synthesis of juiciness and balsamic notes, Morar by Valentina Cubi is an elegant and unique wine, endowed with a classical expressiveness that echoes the quintessence of the terroir.
Fully deserving among the best Amarone della Valpolicella.
Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Ca Florian 2013 – Tommasi
The nose initially presents notes of raspberry and sour cherry, followed by coffee powder, eucalyptus, and graphite.
The palate is broad and lively, with soft and silky tannins supported by a pleasant mineral undertone.
A refined and opulent wine, tempered by a vibrant freshness that makes drinking it exciting.
Tommaso’s Amarone della Valpolicella is among the best Amarone della Valpolicella for overall finesse. Definitely one of the most iconic producers of Amarone della Valpolicella.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Gioé 2016 – Santa Sofia
Description:
Fresh and fruity aromas of berry jam, ripe cherry are complemented by gentle hints of spices, tar, and roasting.
The sip is clear and smooth, well-balanced between silky tannins, freshness, and sapidity.
It refines for 36 months in large Slavonian oak barrels and at least 12 months in the bottle.
Santa Sofia’s Amarone della Valpolicella, masterfully led by Luciano Begnoni, is an exciting wine that highlights, like few others, the elegant and refined character of Amarone.
Amarone della Valpolicella 2012 – Le Guaite di Noemi
It stimulates the sense of smell with clear and decisive notes of small red fruits, accompanied by subtle accents of sweet wood and balsamic hints.
On the palate, a soft and enveloping texture emerges, with a harmonious balance between the richness of flavors and the freshness of acidity. The finish is harmonious and persistent over time.
A wine of great finesse that masterfully balances the predominance of fruit, enriched by subtle evolutionary nuances that enhance the aromatic complexity. Led by Noemi Pizzighella, the small winery Le Guaite di Noemi offers one of the best Amarone della Valpolicella for its vertical and elegant character.
Fieramonte 2013 – Allegrini
The bouquet is finely articulated with hints of rose and violet potpourri and small red fruits in jam, enriched by delicate notes of bitter cocoa, vanilla, and pleasant hints of eucalyptus, licorice, and tar.
On the palate, it reveals a great polyphenolic extract, supported by a long salty trail that culminates in a vibrant finish of great persistence. Impeccable balance between the acidic, tannic, and alcoholic components.
Elegant and self-assured, Allegrini Fieramonte Amarone is a wine of great depth. The intriguing and highly recognizable nose serves as a prelude to an energetic and exciting sip. Price above average but extraordinary quality. Deservedly among the best Amarone della Valpolicella wineries.
Amarone Classico 2015 – Quintarelli
A riot of dark berry jam and plum fading into withered red flowers, tobacco, tar, minty, and ethereal sensations. Expansive and enveloping palate with a finish echoing fruit and spices.
Grape Varieties: Corvina Veronese 55%, Rondinella 25%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, Other Varieties 5% Region: Veneto
A wine that has made history in the world of Amarone internationally. Monumental character, with an exciting and highly faceted nose.
Among the most historic and best Italian red wines for solemnity and olfactory lyricism. Unconvincing value for money.
Amarone ‘Monte Lodoletta’ 2017 – Romano Dal Forno
A wine that has made history in the world of Amarone internationally. It seduces with clear and fragrant notes, articulating between suggestions of red berries in alcohol and plum, accompanied by dark chocolate, tar, and roasting.
The palate is very glyceric with a powerful and lively tannic structure evolving, excellent persistence.
Grape Varieties: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara Region: Veneto
A wine with extraordinary evolutionary potential, vigorous and penetrating. Fully entitled among the most famous, historic, and best Italian red wines for sensory explosiveness and olfactory eloquence. Unconvincing value for money.
Amarone Classico Vigneto ‘Monte Sant’Urbano’ 2017 – Speri
The bouquet unfolds with delicate shades of ripe cherry and dehydrated figs, evolving towards notes of sweet spices, incense, and cocoa, with hints of medicinal herbs.
In the mouth, it is full and dry, with sculpted tannins softly enveloping the palate and well-balanced by a vibrant acidity. The finish is of great persistence with delicate spicy nuances.
A vibrant Amarone della Valpolicella, skillfully tempering fragrance and backbone, with a finale echoing intensely the fruit.
Undoubtedly among the best producers of Amarone della Valpolicella for their original and imaginative style.
Amarone della Valpolicella ‘Morandina’ 2015 – Pra’
At the nose, notes of violet and small red berries and juniper are perceived, enriched by balsamic strokes of licorice root, resin, and well-integrated boisé notes.
The sip envelops the palate in a dense sip with perfectly outlined compact tannins. Excellent saline trail on the finish that leaves the mouth fresh and satisfied.
An interpretation of Amarone della Valpolicella of sensational elegance, an example of how the high alcohol content can synergize with minerality, providing an unprecedented and exciting sip.
Deservedly among the best Amarone della Valpolicella.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva ‘Sergio Zenato’ 2016 – Zenato
The nose develops with prominent floral and fruity tones.
Withered violets, sour cherries in alcohol, and dehydrated plums stand out with complex and elegant tertiary aromas of quinine, roasting, and tar. The palate, long and enveloping, closes towards a soft finish, perfectly balanced in its components.
A multifaceted wine with excellent structure and finesse, spicy and balsamic without giving up the juiciness of the fruit. A precise expression of the varietal character, undoubtedly among the best Amarone della Valpolicella. Impeccable value for money. Undoubtedly among the best producers of Amarone della Valpolicella.
Amarone Classico 2016 ‘Moropio’ – Antolini
Tickles the drowsy nose with incisive fruity and floral notes of sour cherry, potpourri of dried flowers followed by registers of oriental spices and balsamic shades of resin and undergrowth.
On the palate, it is broad and intense, with a thick but smoothly polished tannin synergistically linked to a tantalizing acidity that encourages drinking, with a finish featuring delicate hints of fruit and spicy bursts.
One of the best Amarone della Valpolicella for its sincerity and ability to balance finesse and olfactory creativity: great liveliness and engaging on the palate. Excellent value for money. Certainly one of the best Amarone della Valpolicella wineries
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012 – Monte dei Ragni
An interesting aromatic profile that outlines small red berries, cherries, raspberries, with hints of cloves and dark chocolate.
On the palate, it is sumptuous and harmonious, extending towards a persistent finish.
Monte dei Ragni’s Amarone della Valpolicella is imaginative, with great nerve and terpsichorean elegance.
Among the best Amarone della Valpolicella for its artisanal character
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2013 – Secondo Marco
A riot of ripe berries, fading plums into hints of blood, roasting, tobacco, and tar. The sip is vibrant and intense, with a good salty vein.
An evocative Amarone della Valpolicella with great territorial character: an eloquent nose sui generis and velvety, enveloping tannins.
Fully entitled among the best Amarone della Valpolicella. Definitely among the best producers of Amarone della Valpolicella.
AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA
Amarone della Valpolicella is one of the most famous and best Italian wines recognized internationally for its elegance, complexity, and great aging potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella is a dry passito red wine with DOCG status that can only be produced in the Valpolicella area, in the province of Verona.
The appassimento technique of grapes is adopted in Amarone della Valpolicella with the aim of concentrating colors, aromas, and structure, resulting in wines with a unique character, complexity, nuances, and extraordinary elegance.
Amarone della Valpolicella is exclusively produced from Corvina (45-95%) and/or Corvinone (45-95%), Rondinella (5-30%), and other non-aromatic red grape varieties allowed by the regulations, including the indigenous Oseleta.
The regulations stipulate that grapes for appassimento cannot be vinified before December 1st and that the wines produced cannot be marketed before January 1st of the third year following the harvest. However, many producers often tend to further extend the aging times of the wines before putting them on the market.
BEST AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA VINTAGES
Discover the ranking of the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella from 1970 to the present day. For more details, consult the article dedicated to the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella, complete with a description of the climatic conditions in detail.
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1992✭✭1/2
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1994✭✭✭✭1/2
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2000✭✭✭✭1/2
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2010✭✭✭✭1/2
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What is the best Amarone from Valpolicella?
What is the best Amarone della Valpolicella y? Choosing is a daunting task, which inevitably falls under the limits of subjective opinion, which as such, by definition, is deficient and arbitrary.
We have simply compiled a list of our favorite interpretations according to our evaluations. However, it remains essential to underline that wine is not born to be prestigious, exhibited, or flaunted.
But to excite us and be genuinely shared with the people we love, tying itself to contingent situations and the unrepeatable and intimate moments of our lives.
Therefore, we invite you to visit wineries and get to know the producers who create wines in their uniqueness, so that you can discover and autonomously choose the wine that can be counted among your personal favorites. If you have had the patience to read this far, I thank you for your attention, but now it’s time to fill the glasses and cut off distant hopes, and so:
Cheers, Salute, Santé
Jean Marco Palmieri
