Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG “Costasera – Lunar New Year Dragon” 2018
€64.00
3 in stock
Italy: shipping from €13 · Free over €99Change
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- Now to 2036
James Suckling 93Wine Enthusiast 92
Critic scores for the 2018 vintage
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 15%
Grapes: Corvina 70%, Rondinella 25% and Molinara 5%
Ageing: 24 months in oak barrel of Slavonia for 80% and 20% in Allier barriques
Aromas: Notes of plum and cherry pudding with toasted coffee
- 1 to 3 bottles
- 4 to 6 bottles
- 7 to 12 bottles
Vintage 2018
Stars from the Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella, for Amarone della Valpolicella
A very good year. Warm weather, plenty of water and a balanced harvest.
A warm year with good water reserves, balanced ripening and a slightly early harvest.
Spring was cold at first, then warm, with repeated spells of cold air and a lot of rain in the hills. Early summer was cool and unstable; from late July it turned hot, with local storms. Strong storms in early September caused local damage, with landslides and flooding in some vineyards. Harvest began on 10 September, four days ahead of the average, with good sugar, balanced acidity and heavier berries thanks to plenty of water.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG “Costasera – Lunar New Year Dragon” 2018 by Masi
An Italian Masterpiece Embracing Lunar New Year Traditions
Lunar Charm Meets Italian Elegance: Masi’s “Costasera – Lunar New Year Dragon” 2018 stands as an exceptional variant of the renowned Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. This exclusive edition was crafted to commemorate the Lunar New Year, often referred to as the Chinese New Year, blending the finesse of Italian winemaking with the rich symbolism of the Chinese zodiac.
Journey from Rabbit to Dragon: The transition from the Year of the Rabbit to the Year of the Dragon in 2024 is celebrated through Masi’s creation. The 2018 vintage features custom-designed labels and packaging that echo the spirit of renewal and celebration associated with the Lunar New Year.
Signature Wine Profile: “Costasera – Lunar New Year Dragon” 2018 maintains the esteemed qualities of Masi’s classic Costasera Amarone. Crafted from a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes, the wine is aged to perfection, striking a delicate balance between fruity and spicy notes. It showcases a rich ruby color, with scents of ripe cherries and plums, complemented by a subtle hint of dark chocolate, leading to a sophisticated and lingering finish.
Celebration of Cultures: Each bottle of this limited edition Amarone represents a tribute to the verdant vineyards of Valpolicella and the vibrant traditions of the Lunar New Year, making it an ideal selection for collectors and wine enthusiasts seeking a blend of cultural refinement.
Ideal Pairings: This Amarone is a perfect match for hearty Italian antipasti, robust cheeses, and flavorful meats, enhancing both special occasions and moments of quiet reflection.
Limited Edition Exclusivity: The “Costasera – Lunar New Year Dragon” 2018 is available in a limited quantity, offering a unique opportunity for those who value rare and distinctive wine experiences.
Legends Masi describe their ‘Costasera’ as their ‘gentle giant’, an Amarone of softness as well as power and complexity. Despite the challenges in 2015 presented by heat and dryness they managed to produce a marvellous example, fully worthy of the brand’s fame and reputation.
Winemaking: grapes harvested from sunset-facing slopes overlooking Lake Garda are dried on specialised bamboo racks for 2-3 months to maximise intensity prior to fermentation. 80% of the wine is then aged for 24 months in Slavonian oak, with the remaining 20% in Allier French oak barriques.
Assemblage: corvina 70%, rondinella 25%, molinara 5%.
Alcohol: 15%.
Colour: intense, opaque dark red with garnet tinges.
Aroma: red and black cherries, a certain smokiness and even a hint of baked apple.
Palate: fruit-forward, full but velvety-soft with balancing acidity. The oak spice is present but extremely well-judged and not overwhelming, while forest-floor and fondente notes are there to reward meditation and contemplation.
Ageability: This one has barely begun – expect it to change and evolve for decades to come.
Pairing: meaty primi and secondi, as well as mushrooms or cassoulet. Aged milder blue cheeses would react wonderfully with the sweet fruit in the wine.
United States
- 1 to 3 bottles€85
- 4 to 6 bottles€94
- 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €168, now €134
- 13 to 18 bottles€223
- 19 to 24 bottles€273
Customs and the 15% tariff are paid by us
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico: €70 extra per shipment
Canada
- 1 to 3 bottles€55
- 4 to 6 bottles€70
- 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €100, now €70
- 13 to 18 bottles€170
- 19 to 24 bottles€195
Customs and local taxes are paid by the recipient
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
United Kingdom, 
Norway, 
Switzerland
- 1 to 3 bottles€30
- 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €48, now €30
- 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €60, now €30
- 13 to 18 bottles€84
- 19 to 24 bottles€108
Customs and local taxes are paid by the recipient
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Singapore, 
South Korea, 
Hong Kong, 
Japan
- 1 to 3 bottles€70
- 4 to 6 bottles€100
- 7 to 12 bottles€100
- 13 to 18 bottles€240
- 19 to 24 bottles€295
Customs and local taxes are paid by the recipient
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Australia, 
New Zealand
- 1 to 3 bottles€70
- 4 to 6 bottles€100
- 7 to 12 bottles€100
- 13 to 18 bottles€240
- 19 to 24 bottles€295
Customs and local taxes are paid by the recipient
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Taiwan
- 1 to 3 bottles€70
- 4 to 6 bottles€100
Customs and local taxes are paid by the recipient
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
For more than 6 bottles to Taiwan, write to us for a quote
Germany, 
Belgium, 
Luxembourg, 
Netherlands
- 1 to 3 bottles€18
- 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €28, now €18
- 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €36, now €18
- 13 to 18 bottles€52
- 19 to 24 bottles€68
Customs included
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
France, 
Austria, 
Denmark
- 1 to 3 bottles€20
- 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €36, now €20
- 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €40, now €20
- 13 to 18 bottles€56
- 19 to 24 bottles€76
Customs included
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Portugal, 
Spain
- 1 to 3 bottles€26
- 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €44, now €26
- 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €52, now €26
- 13 to 18 bottles€68
- 19 to 24 bottles€92
Customs included
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Ireland, Northern Ireland, 
Sweden, 
Finland
- 1 to 3 bottles€30
- 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €48, now €30
- 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €60, now €30
- 13 to 18 bottles€84
- 19 to 24 bottles€108
Customs included
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Rest of the European Union
- 1 to 3 bottles€34
- 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €56, now €34
- 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €68, now €34
- 13 to 18 bottles€92
- 19 to 24 bottles€124
Customs included
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Italy, mainland
- 1 to 3 bottles€13
- 4 to 6 bottles€15
- 7 to 12 bottles€17
- 13 to 18 bottles€24
- 19 to 24 bottles€32
Free on orders over €99
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Italy, islands and Calabria
- 1 to 3 bottles€20
- 4 to 6 bottles€22
- 7 to 12 bottles€25
- 13 to 18 bottles€30
- 19 to 24 bottles€35
Free on orders over €99
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Masi Winery has its roots in the Valpolicella Classica hills of north-eastern Italy, an area with varied soils and microclimates. The Boscaini family purchased their first plot, called “Vaio dei Masi,” in 1772 and has continued to cultivate grapes like Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, and the rediscovered Oseleta. A key element of production is the Appassimento method, in which grapes are dried for at least 100 days to create Amarone, Recioto, and double-fermentation styles such as Ripasso.
The company has expanded into multiple areas, Veneto, Friuli, Trentino, Tuscany, and Argentina, always emphasizing local grape varieties. Guided by the Masi Technical Group, ongoing research merges long-held methods with modern practices. The new headquarters, “Monteleone21,” sits mostly below ground beneath vines and stone walls, evoking the look of traditional terraces. Inside, a 12-meter-high space is reserved for drying grapes, as well as a spacious zone with a wine shop, bar, and restaurant.
Monteleone21 places strong focus on renewable resources, with geothermal and photovoltaic systems that minimize energy use. These efforts earned recognition in the Best of Wine Tourism competition organized by Great Wine Capitals and the Verona Chamber of Commerce.
Through the Masi Foundation, the winery supports cultural and educational initiatives, including the Masi Prize, which honours individuals who enrich wine-related customs. Today, Masi wines reach about 140 countries, showing a passion for each stage of production and respect for local origins and traditions.
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