Amarone - Pieropan 'Vigna Garzon' Amarone della Valpolicella, 2015, Veneto, Italy

Our View:

"Amarone" - a wine style recognised throughout the world for its quality is produced near the beautiful city of Verona in Veneto, Italy. The unique method of using partially dried grapes in the winemaking process produces wines of remarkable flavour intensity and power.

This classic example, produced by the well regarded Pieropan family, is made organically from old vines and is all that a great  Amarone della Valpolicella should be - you won't be disappointed.

The Wine:

The Pieropan family is one of Italy's well known winemakers and has been producing wines since the 1890s. In 1999, the Pieropan family bought uncultivated land on the hill of Garzon, which is 400 metres above sea level in Cellore Illasi and from 2000 started planting vines. 

The Illasi valley is to the west of Soave and has long been known for the quality of its Valpolicella. The vineyard is south-facing with good exposure that ensures excellent ripening of the Valpolicella varieties (Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina).

The limestone and clay soil and the windy and dry micro-climate are all ideal conditions for the production of rich yet elegant wines. The vineyard is certified organic.

The grapes were hand-picked and dried naturally, then de-stemmed and pressed prior to the wine being aged in 500 litre barrels for 36 months. A further year in bottle before release completed the production of this great amarone.  

Tasting Note:

Brilliant and intense ruby red in colour, this is a wine with a heady perfume of black cherries and red summer fruits with notes of pepper and sweet spice. On the palate it is complex and rounded, with a powerful structure supporting the fruit and a lovely freshness on the finish. A wine with plenty of character with the potential to age well. (Organic, Vegan, Vegetarian).  

The Facts:

What the critics say:

94 Points: Review by Decanter Magazine

"Pieropan's Amarone saw its first commercial release in 2006. Enticing plummy prune aromas, sweet spice and macerated cherry tinged with vanilla. Dense, plush fruit is reined in by gently assertive tannins, notes of mint and pepper lending freshness. Slightly warming on the finish. Organic. Drink 2020-2030."