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

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. The nose is great with cherries, black cherries, spice, cedar and just a hint of camphor. Full bodied. Firm tannins. Great acidity. On the palate, this is delicious. Cherries and black cherries with spice and lively acidity. Long finish. This begs for food and would be great with pasta in a cream sauce. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2012

Current Price:

$140.00USD

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

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

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

Vintage:

2006

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$210.00USD

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

2016 Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$55.00USD

Very impressive showing. This is a blend of 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella and 10% Oseleta and Croatina. Garnet in color, clear and bright. The nose has cherries, red currants, roasted herbs, dust and slight bitters note. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, Cherries, plums, red currants with some spice. Long finish. This is deep and complex. Drinking well now, it should continue to so do for twelve to fifteen years. Very nice on its own, but even better with food. It went great with a pasta fagioli.

2014 Tommaso Bussola Valpolicella Classico Superiore Tb, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$37.00USD

Another "lesser" wine from Bussola. And yes, while his Amarone's are amazing, they are also pricey. This Valpolicella is much more affordable and even in a poor vintage like 2014, he made great wine. This is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara and other grapes. Fifty percent of the grapes for this wine are harvested in September and are dried for 3 months.

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

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