2011 Amarone della Valpolicella

80% Corvina Veronese, 20% Rondinella. Grown in the calcareous marl of Tenuta Novare. Healthy grapes harvested early September. Dried in lofts and laid on bamboo racks. Dried for 120 days losing round 60% of total weight. In mid January, destemmed and crushed then macerated 20 days pre fermentation. Fermented 30 days in concrete vats. Aged in large Slavonian oak with an average capacity of 60 hl for 7 years, followed by bottle maturation of at least 12 months. pH 3.4, TA 6 g/l. Pale, verging on medium garnet in colour. Leather, dried and baked strawberries, tart red cherry, and bitter almond. Plenty of fresh acidity and medium, drying tannin. The fruit is quite ripe, dried and sweet in aroma and flavour but, structurally, the wine is completely dry. (SCJ)