'A' Amarone

Vineyard and terroir

The fruit comes from south and southeast-facing hillside vineyards in the Valpantena Valley outside Verona. The wine page gives an elevation range of 100–400 metres, while the 2021 factsheet specifies 250–300 metres. Cool air descending from the Dolomite foothills moderates the climate, supporting gradual ripening and the retention of aroma and acidity. The poor, chalky soils limit vine vigour. Vines average 20–30 years old and are trained using both Pergola Veronese and Guyot systems.

Grapes

80% Corvina, 15% Rondinella and 5% Corvinone.

Vinification

Selected grapes were picked by hand in mid-September and dried in specially ventilated rooms through the end of January. During appassimento they lost about 40% of their original weight. The fruit was then destemmed and crushed. Fermentation proceeded at 18–20°C with regular daily pump-overs, followed by 20 days of maceration.

Ageing

The wine matured for 18 months in French oak barriques, then moved to concrete tanks for final maturation and filtration before bottling.

Technical data

ABV is 15% and pH is 3.45. The wine page reports residual sugar of 5.5 g/L and acidity of 5.75 g/L; the 2021 factsheet gives 6 g/L and 5.8 g/L respectively. The closure is natural cork. Suitable for vegetarian and vegan consumers.

Tasting profile

Deep and intense aromas combine dried cherry, plum, spiced autumn-fruit compote and chocolate. The palate is powerful and concentrated, balancing savoury, spicy cherry fruit with ripe, silky tannins. A trace of woodsmoke carries into the long finish.

Vintage notes

The 2021 growing season brought normal rainfall and excellent weather. Fine, sunny conditions during harvest produced healthy grapes with strong acidity and good overall quality.