WAC Wine Club Amarone Tasting – September 11
WAC Wine Club members, you are in for a treat—five outstanding Amarones! Amarone della Valpolicella is a bold, full-bodied red from Veneto, Italy, made with partially dried grapes yielding rich flavors of dried fruit, cherry, and spice. Grown in the hills near Verona and Lake Garda, the region’s warm days and cool nights give balance and elegance. It’s a type of wine that is perfect with braised meats, mushroom risotto, and aged cheeses just for starters.
2008 Zýmē Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Zýmē is one of the newer stars of Valpolicella, founded in 2003 by Celestino Gaspari, who blends respect for tradition with a restless curiosity for innovation. The 2008 Amarone is a perfect example.
Made from a blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, and Croatina, the wine follows the classic appassimento method—grapes dried for months in airy lofts before a slow, cool fermentation. It then spends years resting in large oak barrels to build complexity.
In the glass, the 2008 is deep garnet, with aromas of dried cherries, figs, leather, and warm spice. On the palate, it’s rich and layered: dried fruit and cocoa mingle with savory herbs and a gentle balsamic note. Tannins are polished, acidity still vibrant, and the finish lingers with hints of licorice and tobacco.
2009 Masi Campolongo di Torbe Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Masi’s Campolongo di Torbe is one of the most prestigious single-vineyard Amarones, grown on volcanic soils in Negrar. The site has been celebrated for centuries, and the wine captures equally both power and finesse.
The 2009 vintage leans into its richness. Made from the traditional blend—Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara—the grapes are dried through the winter, concentrating their sugars and flavors. Fermentation is slow, and the wine spends about three years in oak before release.
On the nose, it’s decadent: figs, raisins, chocolate, and baking spices, with a touch of vanilla and coffee from the wood. The palate is full-bodied, dense with dried fruit, plum compote, and hints of cinnamon, yet held in check by balanced acidity. The finish is long, warming, and velvety.
2011 Masi Campolongo di Torbe Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Just two years later, the 2011 Campolongo di Torbe shows a slightly different face—still opulent, but with fresher fruit and more vibrancy.
Here, the nose offers ripe cherries, dried figs, violets, and hints of cocoa. The palate is round and plush, with notes of plum, blackberry jam, and warm spice. Tannins are silky, giving it an elegant structure, and the acidity keeps everything lively.
2012 Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
The Farina family estate is one of Valpolicella’s classics, crafting approachable yet refined Amarones for generations. Their 2012 Amarone Classico shows a softer, more fruit-forward style than some of its powerhouse neighbors.
Made from Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara, the grapes are dried for about four months before fermentation and aged for two years in oak. The result is a wine with a generous, open character.
In the glass, you’ll find notes of cherries in liqueur, dried figs, chocolate, and hints of spice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied but smooth, with velvety tannins and a lingering finish of sweet fruit and subtle tobacco.
2016 Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
The jewel of the Serego Alighieri estate, the Vaio Armaron is Amarone with a pedigree stretching back to Dante’s descendants. The 2016 vintage balances richness with elegance, making it one of the most striking expressions of Amarone in recent years.
Deep ruby in color, the wine shows aromas of preserved cherries, dried plums, cocoa, and a touch of spice. The palate is powerful yet polished, with silky tannins framing flavors of ripe cherries, chocolate, and sweet herbs. Critics swooned over it—Decanter gave it 95 points, praising its grace and longevity.
