Albino Armani Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2021

Albino Armani has farmed in the Veneto since 1607, and this Amarone della Valpolicella Classico comes from the hillside heart of the appellation north of Verona. It is made from the traditional Valpolicella grapes Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella using the appassimento method, in which the bunches are laid out to dry for several months after harvest. As the grapes raisinate they lose water and concentrate their sugars, acids and phenolics, which is what gives Amarone its depth, its high alcohol and its rich, dried fruit character. The pressed must ferments slowly to dryness, then the wine ages for thirty six months in oak, where slow oxygen exchange resolves the tannins and adds spice, while the long ageing builds the savoury, complex character. The result is deep garnet, with dried fig, prune and macerated cherry on the nose, layered with dark chocolate, raisin, black pepper and oak. The palate is full bodied, warming and velvety, the fruit dense and the finish long and bittersweet. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees in a large glass, decanted, with rich braises and mature cheeses, or on its own after a meal.