Amarone & Valpolicella wines from 2004

In many ways a true ideal vintage, 2004 was a great year in a more conventional, expected way, unlike 2000’s idiosyncrasy. Hot, but not to the same levels as the previous year, and relatively stable throughout the spring as well as the summer, allowing steady growth and late picking. Crucially, the winter was a fine one, relatively lacking humidity and allowing for an excellent appassimento period. An excellent year for Barolo, Chianti and much the rest of Italy as well, the best of these wines will be drinking beautifully now and for several more years.