2006 Romano Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

From one of the top producers in the Veneto (and most expensive), this Valpolicella drinks like a very good Amarone. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has raisins, cherries, tar, graphite, and anise. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Enough acidity. This wine is dry but very high alcohol. The palate shows the alcohol but plenty of cherries and prunes along with some underlying tar/asphalt. Long finish. At age 17, this is a big, high alcohol wine which may be off putting to some and wonderful to others. It is great on its own but would work better with big food. Braised, slow cooked beef would be a nice pairing. Probably at or close to peak, but enough to go another ten years.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2006

Current Price:

$210.00USD

2005 Romano Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2005

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$122.00USD

Dal Forno makes some of the best Amarone. Unfortunately, the price is prohibitive. That said, his Valpolicella's are better than most Amarone and while expensive, they can be worth doing. This one certainly was. So much better than a bottle tasted five years ago that was tight, oaked and unforgiving. This bottle has really started to show a glimpse of its best. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, slight vanilla, cloves and leather. Full bodied. On the palate, this has up front black cherry fruit with underlying spice and dried

2011 Romano Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2011

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$110.00USD

From one of the top producers in this part of the world, His Valpolicellas are better and more serious than most Amarones (and more expensive, too). This is a blend of 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina and 5% Oseleta grapes. Purple in color, opaque and flat. This is a dense, concentrated wine. The nose has cherries, cedar, leather, dark chocolate and a hint of VA (just enough to raise the aromatics without being off putting). Full bodied. Concentrated. Firm tannins with a lush texture. On the palate, this is teeth staining and delicious. Cherries, black cherries, with some

2012 Romano Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$140.00USD

In describing this wine, calling it basically an Amarone, is not correct but a pretty close and useful phrase. It is a blend of 70% Corvina and Corvina grossa, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina, and 5% Oseleta. Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.

2012 Fratelli Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Vigneto Monte Sant’Urbano, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$65.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has cherries, slight prunes, slight raisin along with some anise and roasted herbs. Full bodied. On the palate, this is ever so slightly sweet with cherries, dried cherries and slight prune. Medium tannins. Nice depth with layers of complexity. Good acidity. Long finish. Should work with medium and heavier dishes very well, probably not so much with spicy foods. Seems to be closing in on peak but should certainly have another 7 to ten years left.

2021 Famiglia Pasqua Ripasso della Valpolicella Superiore, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2021

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$26.00USD

This wine comes from north east Italy. It is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone and Negrara grapes. To make a Ripasso styles wine, the wine, after fermentation, is poured over the leftover pomace from the Amarone. This gives the wine a bit more stuffing than a regular Valpolicella. Ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose has cherries, Heering liqueur, and spice. Medium to full bodied. Medium tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, this is tasty with cherries and black cherries with underlying char and spice. Long finish. Nice on its own, but better with food. This would g

2006 Romano Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

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