Amarone della Valpolicella DOC “Vajo dei Masi” 1999 – Limited Edition

Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico “Vajo dei Masi” 1999 – Limited Edition by Masi

The 1999 Vaio dei Masi marks the return of one of Masi’s most refined Amaroni, following the success of the 1997 vintage. It comes from the Vaio Masi vineyard, a hillside plot between Marano and Negrar at about 370–400 meters of altitude. The terrain is mainly calcareous with outcrops of basaltic tuff, giving the wine both mineral tension and remarkable depth. The vines are cultivated on terraced slopes supported by traditional marogne dry-stone walls, where the balance of sun exposure and ventilation provides ideal conditions for Amarone grapes.

The blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone, and Molinara was harvested on October 5, 1999, after a season that began dry and ended with a fortunate late recovery before harvest. The selected bunches were placed on bamboo racks (arelle) in the drying lofts at Torbe, where the low humidity and sharp day-night temperature differences allowed for a slow, even appassimento lasting until early February 2000. When pressed, the grapes showed excellent sugar levels, concentration, and colour. Fermentation began at 5°C with a period of cold maceration to draw out aromatic purity and depth of flavour, followed by a long fermentation completed in March 2000.

The young Amarone was then aged in new 600-litre French oak barrels from June 2000 to October 2003. This period in wood imparted layers of spice, tobacco, and subtle vanilla while preserving the wine’s natural brightness. What makes this edition unique, however, is what happened after maturation: rather than being bottled, the wine was transferred to stainless steel tanks and stored under nitrogen, protecting it from oxygen and effectively pausing its ageing process. This preservation method — a kind of suspended animation — has allowed the wine to retain astonishing vitality and freshness even after twenty-five years.

Bottled in January 2024, Vaio dei Masi 1999 reveals a rare combination of age and youth. Its nose opens with aromas of dried cherry, plum, cocoa, and tobacco leaf, followed by hints of balsamic herbs and sweet spice. The palate is broad yet finely structured, with supple tannins and an energy that lifts its rich core of dark fruit. Despite its maturity, the wine carries a brightness and tension that make it feel alive and graceful. The finish is long, warm, and layered with subtle notes of licorice and cedar.

This limited release represents the culmination of patient winemaking and innovative preservation. It is a chance to taste a perfectly balanced Amarone that has been kept in its prime for a quarter of a century — a wine that bridges past and present with elegance and quiet power.