Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva DOCG
The same as regular Amarone with a twist: the wine must be aged for at least 4 years in a barrel, and in practice for longer, even considerably longer. In general, wines which have been aged longer come out rounder, deeper, less sharply acidic and more densely fruity. Not that it’s as simple as that, however – there are other factors influencing the wine than the sheer length of the ageing process.
What the barrels are made from, for instance, will greatly affect the subsequent flavours, with the three different types of oak – French, the rare American and the traditional Slavonian – offering different shades and subtleties (butter in the case of French, vanilla with American and less intervention with the Slavonian – all offer trademark spiciness).
The size of the barrels matters as well, with the smaller barriques (generally holding 225-228 litres) giving more concentrated ‘oaky’ flavours, while the bigger, traditional botti (at least 1000 litres, sometimes even as much as 10,000) influence the wine less, making them favoured by many purists who consider that they allow more natural fruit flavours to shine through. Finally, while the raw wood will work, the effect of the oak can be enhanced by toasting the barrels before use – the greater the toasting, the stronger and spicier the oak will be.
Alcohol: mimimum 14% (usually 15%+)
Colour: generally reddish-brown, tending towards translucence.
Aroma: cinnamon, cloves, white pepper, vanilla, dark-fruit jam.
Palate: soft, medium acidity, full viscosity; strong spices and fruits, with more tobacco and cocao powder with age.
Food Pairing: aged gorgonzola or hard, strong cheese – but really, this is sippin’ wine, wine for drinking and thinking – a mindfulness wine.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva “Monte la Parte” 2015
€194.00
Bottle: 750 ml
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 16,5 %
Grapes: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, Molinara
Aromas: Intense ruby-red with garnet highlights; notes of black cherry, dried rose petal, incense, stony minerality, and subtle oak
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva 2015
€385.00Bottle: 750 ml
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 16,5 %
Grapes: Corvina, corvinone, rondinella, oseleta
Aromas: Dried cherry, fig, dark chocolate, tobacco, leather, spice
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Le Origini” 2018
Original price was: €58.00.€50.00Current price is: €50.00.The 2018 “Le Origini” is a reflection of Bolla’s expertise and respect for tradition, making it a standout wine for special occasions or simply savoring the finest flavors of Valpolicella.
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: 75% Corvina and Corvinone and 25% Rondinella
Ageing: 12 months in 750-liter barrels, 36 months in larger oak casks, and 9 months of refinement in the bottle
Aromas: Aromas of ripe cherries, plum preserves, and mature pear are enriched by notes of vanilla, licorice, and cedar.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Mosaico” 2017
Original price was: €188.00.€158.00Current price is: €158.00.Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 17%
Grapes: Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella
Ageing: Small to medium oak barrels, followed by at least 12 months bottle aging
Aromas: Deep garnet red, with licorice, cherry in spirit, dried plum, and a refined balsamic note, long and persistent on the finish.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Fracastoro” 2013
Original price was: €84.00.€68.00Current price is: €68.00. Bottle: 750 ml
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 15% vol
Grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone
Ageing: Dried grapes, matured in large Slavonian oak and French tonneaux, followed by extended bottle aging
Aromas: Cherries in syrup, black cherry, plum jam, cinnamon, clove, pipe tobacco and cocoa; structured, warm and velvety with a long finish
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “De Buris” 2011
€294.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: Corvina 65%, corvinone 24%, rondinella 5%, oseleta 6%
Ageing: Following the vinification process, the wine was left to mature in 15-30hl casks for five years. This process occurred within the ancient cellar of Villa De Buris, which also served as the location for the wine’s bottle-aging process.
Aromas: Intense, with opulent fruits of the forest, but noticeably peppery and Christmas-spice notes, as well as cacao and a touch of butter.
Awards: Vinous 94+/100, Wine Advocate 94/100, “3 Bicchieri” Gambero Rosso
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva “Pian di Mezzo” 2016
€68.00A powerhouse Riserva with 17% alcohol, fermented in Ca’Botta’s patented tank for extra depth and aged long in French barriques, delivering a dense, chocolate and black cherry profile built for slow sipping and game dishes.
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 17%
Grapes: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella & Corvinone
Ageing: Long maturation in 225L French oak barriques, with 100% appassimento of the grapes and fermentation in the patented Fermentino Ca’Botta tank.
Aromas: Dark chocolate, blackberry and black cherry, with sweet spices, green pepper, leather, smoke and toasted nuts; rich and balanced palate with a long almond finish.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Nicola Ferrari” 2016
€84.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 16,5%
Grapes: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella & Molinara
Ageing: 5 years in large oak barrels followed by 12 months in the bottle before being released to the market.
Aromas: Intense spicy and red fruit notes, leading to a juicy, enveloping, and complex palate
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Marta Galli” 2015
€78.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: 50% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 20% Corvinone, 10% other varieties authorized
Ageing: Oak barrels (Allier, Troncais, Vosges), 30% new and 70% used, for 7/8 years. Refinement in the bottle for at least 12 months.
Aromas: Intense, extraordinarily powerful, with hints of black cherry.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Ambrosan” 2004
€274.00The “Ambrosan” Amarone Classico Riserva expresses the beauty and the richness of Valpolicella and represents the history of this area. To the nose it has rich and evolved aromas. It has a princely structure, with a muscular softness and a consistent tannic vein
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2004
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: Corvina 70%, Rondinella 20%, Croatina 10%
Ageing: 30 months between barrique and cask.
Aromas: Vivid spicy note, aromas of black pepper, anise and cloves, rhubarb and mint leaves
Awards: Wine Spectator 93/100, Veronelli 95/100, James Suckling 95/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico Riserva “Costasera” 2006
€238.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol: 15%
Grapes: Corvina 70%, Rondinella 15%, Oseleta 10% e Molinara 5%
Ageing: 40 months in Allier and Slavonian oak barrels
Aromas: Notes of plum and cherry pudding with toasted coffee
Awards: James Suckling 96/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva 2016
€74.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: 15% Corvina, 15% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 30% Molinara, 10% Oseleta
Ageing: Refinement in French oak tonneaux for seven years, followed by two years of bottle aging in underground cellars.
Aromas: Blackberry, balsamic hints, white pepper, and a bouquet of rose hips and violets, enriched by undertones of caramel, toasting, and vanilla.
Three questions, six bottles
Tell us what the wine is for. We pick six from the shelves in San Polo and say why each one made the list.
Answer the three questions and your six bottles appear here.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Sergio Zenato” 2006
€388.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol: 16,5%
Grapes: Corvina 80%, rondinella 10%, oseleta and croatina 10%
Ageing: 4 years in large format barrel before at least a year in bottle.
Aromas: Intense fruit-forward style, depths of raisins and amarena, with edges of cedar wood and black spice.
Awards: James Suckling 94/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Ambrosan” 2009
€169.00The “Ambrosan” Amarone Classico Riserva expresses the beauty and the richness of Valpolicella and represents the history of this area. To the nose it has rich and evolved aromas. It has a princely structure, with a muscular softness and a consistent tannic vein
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: Corvina 70%, Rondinella 20%, Croatina 10%
Ageing: 30 months between barrique and cask.
Aromas: Vivid spicy note, aromas of black pepper, anise and cloves, rhubarb and mint leaves
Awards: Wine Spectator 93/100, Veronelli 95/100, James Suckling 95/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva 2016
€148.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: Corvina 55%, Corvinone 25%, Rondinella 20%
Ageing: Three years in small barrels followed by two years in large casks
Aromas: Cherry preserves, ripe fruit, subtle spices, and hints of tobacco and cocoa
Awards: James Suckling 97/100, Falstaff 95/100, Bibenda 5/5 Grappoli, Guida Vitae (AIS) 4/4 Viti
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Ambrosan” 2017
€82.00The “Ambrosan” Amarone Classico Riserva expresses the beauty and the richness of Valpolicella and represents the history of this area. To the nose it has rich and evolved aromas. It has a princely structure, with a muscular softness and a consistent tannic vein
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: Corvina 70%, Rondinella 20%, Croatina 10%
Ageing: 30 months between barrique and cask.
Aromas: Vivid spicy note, aromas of black pepper, anise and cloves, rhubarb and mint leaves
Awards: Wine Spectator 93/100, Veronelli 95/100, James Suckling 95/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Calcarole” 2019
€88.00Calcarole Amarone Riserva 2017 uniquely balances exceptional richness and fresh, aromatic complexity, thanks to rare vineyard conditions and the inclusion of Barbera and Sangiovese alongside traditional Valpolicella grapes.
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 16,5%
Grapes: 70% Corvina, 10% Barbera, 10% Rondinella, 7% Sangiovese, and 3% Corvinone
Ageing: Aged for 12 months in barriques and an additional 24 months in large oak casks
Aromas: Spiced black cherry, dried roses, cloves, and forest floor
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Ca’ Florian” 2009
€174.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 15,5%
Grapes: Corvina 75%, Corvinone 20%, Rondinella 5%
Ageing: Maturation lasts 4 years, for the first year in barriques and for the subsequent 3 years in 35 hl Slavonian oak casks. It then ages in bottle for at least a year.
Aromas: Elegant and very complex bouquet, with notes of ripe red fruits (cherries, blackberries and plums) along with spicy nuances of licorice and bitter cocoa.
Awards: Wine Spectator 90/100, Robert Parker 91/100, James Suckling 94/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva “Decem” 2013
€174.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 16,5%
Grapes: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, complemented by 5% Molinara and 5% Croatina
Ageing: wooden vats, then continues with gentle maturation in amphorae, then gains complexity in French oak barrels, before finally resting in bottles.
Aromas: ripe fruit harmoniously blended with undertones of coffee, cocoa, and exotic spices.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva “Decem” 2016
€164.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, complemented by 5% Molinara and 5% Croatina
Ageing: wooden vats, then continues with gentle maturation in amphorae, then gains complexity in French oak barrels, before finally resting in bottles.
Aromas: ripe fruit harmoniously blended with undertones of coffee, cocoa, and exotic spices.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Sergio Zenato” 2019
Original price was: €106.00.€97.00Current price is: €97.00.The Amarone Classico Riserva “Sergio Zenato” is a robust and very intense red wine from Veneto produced with Corvina, Rondinella and Oseleta grown in the oldest vineyards of Sant’Ambrogio, in the heart of Valpocella.
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 17%
Grapes: 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta & Croatina
Ageing: The aging of the wine takes place in oak barrels for at least 4 years, then in the bottle for at least 1 year.
Aromas: The nose releases aromas of black cherries in alcohol, ripe berries, spices and menthol notes.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva 2012
€124.00A decade in the making, this Amarone Riserva is crafted only in exceptional vintages, offering deep cherry and spice notes, refined tannins, and extended aging in Slavonian oak for unmatched complexity and longevity.
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and other indigenous varieties
Ageing: After the initial three years in large casks, only the finest 25-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels are chosen to continue aging for an additional four to five years. The wine then rests in the bottle for another 18 to 24 months.
Aromas: Cherry, raspberry, and black fruits lead, followed by dried flowers, spice, balsamic notes, and a touch of tobacco
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Scarnocchio” 2019
€69.00 Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 16.5%
Grapes: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella
Ageing: Grapes dried for about 100 days, slow fermentation up to 40 days, then 48 months in large Slavonian oak and French tonneaux, followed by bottle aging
Aromas: Ripe cherry, plum, and dried blackberry with hints of cocoa, tobacco, and spice; full-bodied and balanced with a long, refined finish
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva “Scajari” 2011
€118.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: 60% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta
Ageing: The wine rests for the first few months in temperature-controlled stainless steel, then matures for years in wooden barrels of various sizes in contact with its natural yeasts; no filtration is performed. The bottle refinement lasts for at least six months.
Aromas: The bouquet offers a rich array of red fruit, particularly black cherry, followed by layers of cocoa, licorice, and tobacco, rounded off with intriguing mineral and spice notes.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Mater” 2017
€178.00A wine of excellence that reflects the close relationship with Mother Nature. Full-bodied, with sweet and soft notes of dried fruit.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Ambrosan” 2013
€115.00The “Ambrosan” Amarone Classico Riserva expresses the beauty and the richness of Valpolicella and represents the history of this area. To the nose it has rich and evolved aromas. It has a princely structure, with a muscular softness and a consistent tannic vein
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: Corvina 70%, Rondinella 20%, Croatina 10%
Ageing: 30 months between barrique and cask.
Aromas: Vivid spicy note, aromas of black pepper, anise and cloves, rhubarb and mint leaves
Awards: Wine Spectator 93/100, Veronelli 95/100, James Suckling 95/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Campo del Titari” 2020
€118.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 17%
Grapes: Corvina Veronese e Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta
Ageing: Large oak barrels for 48 months
Aromas: Ripe cherry, raspberry, and red currant, intertwined with hints of vanilla, cocoa beans, and sweet pipe tobacco
Awards: James Suckling 95/100 (2016)
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Campo Inferi” 2019
€98.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 17%
Grapes: Corvina Veronese e Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta
Ageing: 48-month aging period in 18 hl oak barrels. After bottling, the wine rests for another 12 months before release
Aromas: Notes of sweet cocoa and roasted coffee.
Awards: James Suckling 97/100 (2022), Wine Enthusiast 94/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Bure Alto” 2012
€88.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol: 17%
Grapes: 80% Corvina, 10% Corvinon, and 10% Rondinella
Ageing: Seven years in French tonneaux in an underground cellar
Aromas: Rich bouquet of ripe fruits, plum, cherry, blueberries, spice, cacao, and liquorice
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Il Fornetto” 2017
€157.00Crafted in limited quantities with carefully selected grapes and aged for four years in oak, this Amarone is a bold yet refined expression of Valpolicella, built to evolve gracefully for decades.
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 16,5%
Grapes: Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, and Rondinella
Ageing: Four-year aging period in oak barrels
Aromas: A broad bouquet that includes notes of cherry, dried fruits, vanilla, black pepper, and liquorice
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva 2015
€71.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 15%
Grapes: Corvina and Corvinone 70%, Rondinella 30%
Ageing: five years in prestigious Slavonian oak barrels and a further two years in the bottle.
Aromas: scents of ripe red fruits like cherries and raspberries, with undercurrents of roasted coffee, carob, and a minty finish.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva 2013
€172.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 17%
Grapes: 45% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 25% Rondinella
Ageing: Aged for a total of 66 months, including 48 months in 5 Hl new tonneaux and 18 months in 25 Hl barrels.
Aromas: Notes of alcohol-macerated sour cherry, spices, cedarwood, eucalyptus, vanilla and cocoa powder.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Costasera” 2018
€85.00Produced only in the finest vintages, Costasera Riserva is Masi’s flagship Amarone and a benchmark of the denomination. Crafted from meticulously selected grapes and shaped by the estate’s expertise in appassimento, it combines remarkable structure, elegance and outstanding ageing potential.
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 15%
Grapes: Corvina 70%, Rondinella 15%, Oseleta 10% e Molinara 5%
Ageing: 40 months in Allier and Slavonian oak barrels
Aromas: Notes of plum and cherry pudding with toasted coffee
Awards: James Suckling 96/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “Costasera” 2019
Original price was: €77.00.€68.00Current price is: €68.00.Produced only in the finest vintages, Costasera Riserva is Masi’s flagship Amarone and a benchmark of the denomination. Crafted from meticulously selected grapes and shaped by the estate’s expertise in appassimento, it combines remarkable structure, elegance and outstanding ageing potential.
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 15%
Grapes: Corvina 70%, Rondinella 15%, Oseleta 10% e Molinara 5%
Ageing: 40 months in Allier and Slavonian oak barrels
Aromas: Notes of plum and cherry pudding with toasted coffee
Awards: James Suckling 96/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva “Lilium Est” 2010
€248.00Indulge in the rich and opulent Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva “Lilium Est” by Tenuta Sant’Antonio, crafted in the picturesque Monti Garbi district in the Veronese municipality of Mezzane di Sotto.
Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 16%
Grapes: 70% Corvina and Corvinone – 20% Rondinella – 5% Croatina – 5% Oseleta
Ageing: the wine is aged for 3 years in new Bordeaux barrels, made from staves dried in the open for over 36 months, and then bottle-aged for a further 4 years before being released.
Aromas: intense, full and fine aroma that opens with balsamic, almost iodine notes, followed by ripe cherries, plums, and small woodland berries. It also has spicy aromas of star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, vanilla, and ginger, as well as tertiary aromas of cocoa, chocolate, goudron, almond, toasted hazelnuts, and pipe tobacco.
Awards: James Suckling 97/100
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva “La Fabriseria” 2015
€276.00Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 16,5%
Grapes: 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella 5% Oseleta
Ageing: After fermentation, the wine is then transferred to Slavonian oak barrels, where it embarks on a transformative aging process lasting four years.
Aromas: A complex aroma revealing hints of roasting, vanilla, tobacco, and a fruit medley of red currants, raspberries, and cherries soaked in spirits.
Awards: Veronelli 98/100, Robert Parker 96/100, Falstaff 96/100
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