When was the last time that you tasted an Amarone wine?
It’s a full-bodied wine with high alcohol and sometimes it’s too heavy. Usually, you have to find the right occasion or the best paring to open a bottle of Amarone. In a nutshell, it’s hard to drink it.
Ok, this might have been true in past, but now its style is quite different!
A “slimming” transformation is underway on Amarone and this operation is not easy without distorting the wine.
But some wineries have been successful. They obtained a more drinkable Amarone and always worked to high quality.
I appreciated this good job by tasting several Amarone 2016 wines during the official preview last week. Some were bottled, others were barrel samples. Here, I’ll give you my impressions about.
Are you ready? Let’s start!
Anteprima Amarone 2016
It’s the annual event of Consorzio per la Tutela dei Vini Valpolicella. It introduces the latest vintage to the press and the public.
Two days of tastings (1-2 February) and 54 wineries in the wonderful Gran Guardia Palace. We’re very close to Verona Arena.
My last time here was two years ago because in 2019 I had to study for the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines (passed).
During the last year, I tasted some Amarone 2015 wines. You know – I’m often in Valpolicella.
The difference between 2015 and 2016 is undeniable due to the weather. 2015 was warmer, which resulted in more body. And I’ll give you a clear profile of 2016 below.
Another trend that emerged during Anteprima Amarone 2016 was prolonging of the ageing (no change in the regulation). 54 wines: 36 barrel samples, and 18 bottled (several wines are not yet available on the market).
Vintage 2016
Snow fell during winter 2015. The water reserves obtained from the snow are very helpful for the vine in the hottest and driest months.
April and May 2016 were quite cold, and the following months saw temperatures below the annual averages.
The warmer September allowed for the right ripening, concentrating all the components of the grapes.
The rainfall levels during the growth cycle were quite high.
My favourite Amarone 2016 wines
I took a blind tasting of all the 54 wines and these are my favourites. I hope to taste the same ones again in the next months to check their evolution.
* for barrel samples.
Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena DOCG 2016 – Bertani
A guarantee. The colour is medium ruby. Medium intensity for the aromas of blueberry, liquorice, and dried violet. High acidity, medium+ and soft tannins, medium+ finish. Fine and elegant.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2016 – Giovanni Éderle
Giovanni confirms the good way taken. The colour is pale ruby. Medium intensity for the aromas of wild strawberry, dried rose, and blackcurrant. High acidity, high and grippy tannins, medium+ finish. Very good concentration.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2016* – I Tamasotti
A pleasant discovery from Mezzane area. The colour is deep ruby. Medium+ intensity for the aromas of capsicum, black cherry, and coffee. High acidity, high and ripe tannins, long finish. Powerful and complex with long ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2016 – F.lli Degani
My first time. The colour is medium ruby. Medium+ intensity for the aromas of chocolate, coffee, and blackberry. Medium+ acidity, medium+ and soft tannins, long finish. Very pleasant.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2016 – Vigneti di Ettore
A reconfirmation. The colour is medium ruby. Medium intensity for the aromas of black plum, coffee, blueberry. High acidity, medium+ and ripe tannins, medium+ finish. Good concentration.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2016* – Albino Armani
From high altitudes. The colour is medium ruby. Medium intensity for the aromas of chocolate, coconut, and raspberry. High acidity, high and grippy tannins, medium+ finish. Very elegant.
Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena DOCG 2016 – La Collina dei Ciliegi
My first time. The colour is pale ruby. Medium+ intensity for the aromas of black pepper, cloves, and blackcurrant. Medium+ acidity, medium+ and soft tannins, medium+ finish. Well balanced.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2016* – Secondo Marco
Discovered during Vinitaly 2019. The colour is pale ruby. Medium intensity for the aromas of blackberry, liquorice, and dried rose. Medium+ acidity, medium+ and ripe tannins, medium+ finish. Fine and elegant.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2016* – Santa Sofia
An improvement. The colour is medium ruby. Medium intensity for the aromas of coffee, black cherry, and dried violet. Medium+ acidity, medium+ and ripe tannins, medium+ finish. Well balanced.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2016* – Le Guaite di Noemi
New gear for Noemi. The colour is medium ruby. Medium intensity for the aromas of blackcurrant, capsicum, and liquorice. Medium+ acidity, medium+ and grippy tannins, long finish. Long ageing potential.
What’s your favourite?
I’m happy every time that I’m in Verona, especially on occasions like this.
The only thing to do now is buy some bottles of Amarone 2016 and forget them in the cellar. The wineries have offered good interpretations of the 2016 vintage. Complexity, elegance and balance characterize Amarone 2016.
What will 2017 be like? I don’t know. We have to wait for Anteprima Amarone 2017. Of course, not an easy vintage, characterised by spring frost.
But now I’m very curious to know what your favourite Amarone is. Let me know by leaving a comment.
Cheers
Simone
