2003 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva La Mattonara

From one of the hottest vintages in living memory, the 2003 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva della Mattonara is super loaded with so much stuff, it basically steamrolls the senses (in a pleasurable way). The stuff I am referring to is syrupy fruit extraction, Indian spice box, sweet resin and licorice and decadent layers of barbecue or teriyaki sauce. The blend is 40% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella, 10% Oseleta and 5% Croatina. The wine is aged a whopping nine years in botte grande and emerges with a powerful 16% alcohol reading. The finish is chewy, rich and sweet. This Amarone takes drinking decadence to a whole new level.