Wine Enthusiast "New leather, truffle, menthol and baked plum aromas slowly emerge on this inviting, full-bodied red. Smooth and savory, the velvety palate doles out fleshy black cherry, fig, tobacco and licorice alongside polished, enveloping tannins. Drink through 2028. Kerin O’Keefe"
James Suckling " A ripe, rich and soft Amarone with dried-berry, orange and plum character. Medium body. Juicy finish. Drink now."
Robert Parker "A slightly more accessible wine from a terrific vintage, the Cesari 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico has lifted or volatile aromas of dried cherry skin and red apple. This wine is released with an ample 280,000 frost-coated bottles produced. The blend is 75% Corvina Veronese, 20% Rondinella and 5% of two unknown grapes called Rossignola and Negrara. There is some heaviness to the bouquet with baked fruit and dark spice."
Falstaff "Sparkling ruby with a garnet edge. Appealing nose with lots of clear fruit, ripe, dark cherries and well-ripened plums, some raspberries. Round and supple on the palate, shows lots of ripe berry fruit, gentle tannins."
James Suckling "I love the vibrancy to the fruit here, which ranges from citrus to orange peel, to violets and fresh herbs. Shows good depth on the medium-to full-bodied palate with crunchy acidity and supple tannins, giving energy to the sleek finish." (2015 Vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "Ripe dark-fruit, toasted oak and cooking-spice aromas emerge from the glass. The dense palate delivers prune, black pepper and cinnamon alongside firm tannins. Kerin O’Keefe" (2014 Vintage)
James Suckling " Aromas of violets and ripe fruit with hints of wet earth and sage. Medium body, delicious tannins and a fresh and fruity finish. Drink now." (2014 Vintage)
Wine Spectator "This harmonious red features ripe and juicy black cherry fruit and tarry mineral character, accented by delicate spice and grilled herb notes. Fresh and appealing, with a lightly chewy finish. Drink now through 2021. 16,660 cases made. — AN" (2012 Vintage)
Oraganoleptic Description "Typical aromas of ripe fruit, fruit preserve and cherry are immediately perceived on first olfactory examination. Particularly striking is the incredible long length that lingers on the palate, when the wine displays all its strength through a warm an elegant body"
It is an excellent partner to red meat, boiled meat, flavoursome risottos and hardcheeses. Perfect also as a "conversation wine". Recommended drinking temperature 18-20°C.
An iconic producer of Amarone, Cesari was founded in 1936 by Gerardo Cesari who set out to produce an Amarone capable of competing with the great red wines of the world. As one of the first Italian wines to be exported to all five continents, the Cesari name became synonymous with Amarone. In recent years, Cesari has adopted environmentally sustainable growing practices. Most of its vineyards are planted with indigenous varietals, with a small percentage of international grapes, carefully harvested by hand.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico wines are rich, red amarone wines from the traditional Classico viticultural zone of Valpolicella in Veneto, north-eastern Italy. As is the case outside the Classico boundaries, the principal grape variety is Corvina, backed up mainly by Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta.
All Amarone wines are made using the appassimento technique. Grapes are partially dried, gently pressed and slowly fermented. They must spend at least two years maturing in wood.
Amarone wines from the Classico zone tend to be the most elegant and aromatic. Those from Valpantena are generally lighter and fruitier. Bottlings from the extended Valpolicella region tend to be fuller bodied and more aromatic.
The popularity of Amarone has led to much greater production of the style across the wider Valpolicella region. This has created some variation in quality levels of Amarone wines.
Though great examples are made in other Valpolicella zones (Romano dal Forno to name but one), this has led to renewed emphasis on Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. Some of the stellar producers within the zone include Quintarelli, Allegrini and Masi. The finest Classico vineyards are found around Fumane, Marano, Negar and Sant'Ambroglio. The wines originating here rank among the best in Italy.
The AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA DOCG CLASSICO is produced in the boroughs of Negrar, Marano di Valpolicella, Sant'Ambrogio, Fumane, San Pietro in Cariano (the historic area of Valpolicella Classico production). The drying on racks of the Corvina, Rondinella and Negrara grapes until mid January and the ageing in large oak barrels and barriques, together with the long period of rest in bottles, allow us to enjoy this great wine. Suitable with red meat, game and also as a dinner closing wine.
Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita (DOCG) is intended to be a superior classification to DOC, and is the highest classification in Italy. All DOCG wines from each producer are analysed and tasted by government–licensed judgement panel before being bottled. Once approved, the wines are “guaranteed” with a numbered governmental seal across the cap or cork, to prevent later manipulation. Where the DOCG classification represents a refinement of an existing DOC wine, the rules for the DOCG wine usually require more stringent quality controls. These controls are usually some combination of a lower proportion of blending grapes, lower yields, higher minimum alcohol, longer ageing requirements et cetra.
Wine Enthusiast "New leather, truffle, menthol and baked plum aromas slowly emerge on this inviting, full-bodied red. Smooth and savory, the velvety palate doles out fleshy black cherry, fig, tobacco and licorice alongside polished, enveloping tannins. Drink through 2028. Kerin O’Keefe"
James Suckling " A ripe, rich and soft Amarone with dried-berry, orange and plum character. Medium body. Juicy finish. Drink now."
Robert Parker "A slightly more accessible wine from a terrific vintage, the Cesari 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico has lifted or volatile aromas of dried cherry skin and red apple. This wine is released with an ample 280,000 frost-coated bottles produced. The blend is 75% Corvina Veronese, 20% Rondinella and 5% of two unknown grapes called Rossignola and Negrara. There is some heaviness to the bouquet with baked fruit and dark spice."
Falstaff "Sparkling ruby with a garnet edge. Appealing nose with lots of clear fruit, ripe, dark cherries and well-ripened plums, some raspberries. Round and supple on the palate, shows lots of ripe berry fruit, gentle tannins."
James Suckling "I love the vibrancy to the fruit here, which ranges from citrus to orange peel, to violets and fresh herbs. Shows good depth on the medium-to full-bodied palate with crunchy acidity and supple tannins, giving energy to the sleek finish." (2015 Vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "Ripe dark-fruit, toasted oak and cooking-spice aromas emerge from the glass. The dense palate delivers prune, black pepper and cinnamon alongside firm tannins. Kerin O’Keefe" (2014 Vintage)
James Suckling " Aromas of violets and ripe fruit with hints of wet earth and sage. Medium body, delicious tannins and a fresh and fruity finish. Drink now." (2014 Vintage)
Wine Spectator "This harmonious red features ripe and juicy black cherry fruit and tarry mineral character, accented by delicate spice and grilled herb notes. Fresh and appealing, with a lightly chewy finish. Drink now through 2021. 16,660 cases made. — AN" (2012 Vintage)
Oraganoleptic Description "Typical aromas of ripe fruit, fruit preserve and cherry are immediately perceived on first olfactory examination. Particularly striking is the incredible long length that lingers on the palate, when the wine displays all its strength through a warm an elegant body"
It is an excellent partner to red meat, boiled meat, flavoursome risottos and hardcheeses. Perfect also as a "conversation wine". Recommended drinking temperature 18-20°C.
An iconic producer of Amarone, Cesari was founded in 1936 by Gerardo Cesari who set out to produce an Amarone capable of competing with the great red wines of the world. As one of the first Italian wines to be exported to all five continents, the Cesari name became synonymous with Amarone. In recent years, Cesari has adopted environmentally sustainable growing practices. Most of its vineyards are planted with indigenous varietals, with a small percentage of international grapes, carefully harvested by hand.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico wines are rich, red amarone wines from the traditional Classico viticultural zone of Valpolicella in Veneto, north-eastern Italy. As is the case outside the Classico boundaries, the principal grape variety is Corvina, backed up mainly by Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta.
All Amarone wines are made using the appassimento technique. Grapes are partially dried, gently pressed and slowly fermented. They must spend at least two years maturing in wood.
Amarone wines from the Classico zone tend to be the most elegant and aromatic. Those from Valpantena are generally lighter and fruitier. Bottlings from the extended Valpolicella region tend to be fuller bodied and more aromatic.
The popularity of Amarone has led to much greater production of the style across the wider Valpolicella region. This has created some variation in quality levels of Amarone wines.
Though great examples are made in other Valpolicella zones (Romano dal Forno to name but one), this has led to renewed emphasis on Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. Some of the stellar producers within the zone include Quintarelli, Allegrini and Masi. The finest Classico vineyards are found around Fumane, Marano, Negar and Sant'Ambroglio. The wines originating here rank among the best in Italy.
The AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA DOCG CLASSICO is produced in the boroughs of Negrar, Marano di Valpolicella, Sant'Ambrogio, Fumane, San Pietro in Cariano (the historic area of Valpolicella Classico production). The drying on racks of the Corvina, Rondinella and Negrara grapes until mid January and the ageing in large oak barrels and barriques, together with the long period of rest in bottles, allow us to enjoy this great wine. Suitable with red meat, game and also as a dinner closing wine.
Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita (DOCG) is intended to be a superior classification to DOC, and is the highest classification in Italy. All DOCG wines from each producer are analysed and tasted by government–licensed judgement panel before being bottled. Once approved, the wines are “guaranteed” with a numbered governmental seal across the cap or cork, to prevent later manipulation. Where the DOCG classification represents a refinement of an existing DOC wine, the rules for the DOCG wine usually require more stringent quality controls. These controls are usually some combination of a lower proportion of blending grapes, lower yields, higher minimum alcohol, longer ageing requirements et cetra.
