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2015 Tenuta Santa Maria Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased at retail

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

96Vinous / IWC

Sweet violets and roses give way to black cherries, balsamic spices and white smoke...undeniably elegant and refined style, casting a polished display of licorice-tinged blackberries and savory herbs across a core of brisk acidity... Rich notes of mocha contrast fresh mint and salty minerals, as this finishes impossibly long with an umami feel.

93The Wine Advocate

...plenty of ripe blackberry and Morello cherry, with the baked aromas...

93James Suckling

...lots of red fruit and a cumin-like edge that is very enticing. Medium-to full-bodied with the same intense fruit and spice character. Firm tannins just add intensity to the fruit.

90Wine Spectator

A subtle Amarone, with supple tannins providing gentle definition for flavors of baked cherry, dates and accents of spiced orange peel and medicinal herbs. A touch of loamy earth lingers on the chewy finish.

REGION

Italy, Veneto, Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, usually called simply Amarone, was awarded its prestigious DOCG appellation status in 2009. Though lush, high alcohol content red wines have been made in the Veneto since the ancient Greeks settled there, the popularity of Amarone over the last few decades has resulted in international demand for the wine. Amarone is typically made from 45% to 95% Corvina, blended with Rondinella and other indigenous grapes. The blend is essentially the same as for Valpolicella, but Amarone is made from dried grapes, which gives it a rich, viscous quality and an alcohol content between 14% and 20%. Though Amarone is a dry wine, there is a sweet version called Recioto della Valpolicella. The recioto style wines are included in the DOCG, and the word “ripasso” on label usually indicates the sweeter style.