"Pietro Dal Cero" Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2018

The Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Pietro Dal Cero from Cà dei Frati is a tribute to the Dal Cero family's Veronese roots. Valpolicella, located between the Adige Valley, Lessinia and Lake Garda, is a hilly region northwest of Verona. An agricultural mosaic of rare beauty. Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG is its most representative wine, obtained by drying local grapes that give the wine an aromatic concentration and a great structure. Cà dei Frati specifically uses a blend of mostly Corvina, which is considered the main grape variety of Valpolicella. Then Corvinone and Rondinella in almost equal parts. An interesting fact: the names Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella probably derive from the colour of the feathers of the crow and the livery of the swallow, which recall the dark shades of the grapes. The selected grapes are left to dry in crates for about four months, during which time they lose part of their water content, concentrating sugars and aromas. This is followed by maceration and fermentation in steel, with prolonged contact with the skins to favour the extraction of aromatic and polyphenolic compounds. Malolactic fermentation then takes place, and finally the wine matures for about 24 months in barriques, followed by a further 12 months in steel, thus reaching optimal complexity and balance. Intense ruby red colour with garnet reflections, the nose reveals exuberant aromas of black cherry that blend with notes of chocolate and sweet spices. Balsamic notes then emerge, with hints of star anise and wild mint. The tertiary elements are subtle and reveal pleasant notes of arabica coffee and mild tobacco. In the mouth, Pietro Dal Cero's Amarone has a powerful yet velvety structure, with pleasant flavours of freshly ground coffee and mild tobacco. The dense tannins are accompanied by a wonderful fullness of fruit and a pleasant acidity structure. The finish has an unforgettable length. Thanks to its robust structure and the perfect balance between acidity and tannins, this Amarone has a remarkable ageing potential, evolving well for decades.