Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2021
Torre d’Orti – Veneto, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A traditional Amarone crafted primarily from Corvina (with Corvinone), Rondinella, and a small percentage of Molinara, produced using the appassimento method (partially dried grapes). 17% ABV. A powerful expression leaning rustic rather than refined in this vintage.

Aromas & Flavors
Dried cherry, baked plum, subtle fig, light cocoa, faint walnut and restrained raisin tones. Tertiary notes present but not deeply layered.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and structured with elevated alcohol. Firm tannins and a slightly edgy texture. Lacks the seamless velvety integration expected from more polished Amarone examples.

Food Pairings
Braised meats, aged cheeses, wild boar ragù, mushroom-based dishes.

Verdict
Technically correct and gastronomic, but did not fully deliver the plush refinement and layered complexity often associated with top-tier Amarone. Better at the table than as a contemplative standalone pour.

🍷 Did You Know?
Corvina is the aromatic backbone of Amarone, responsible for cherry and spice notes, while Rondinella contributes color and structure. Balance during drying is crucial, integration is everything. — 4 months ago

Peter Heyboer

9.3

Brought this back from Portugal in 2023 and finally drank it. Awesome wine even if it was maybe a little past its prime. Classic Vinho Verde citrus and floral nose and a dash of minerality. On the tongue it's missing that light effervescence I love but it still brings a lot of citrus and light fruit sweetness that balances the acidity. Would absolutely buy again if I can find it over here! — 9 months ago

with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Nose is very rocky with loads of flowers and fresh cherries and some cassis. Lovely wet earth as well. Echoes of Burgundy. Also that metal smell I get from Nerello and Etna wines. Fresh and energetic with an invigorating palate and not as much depth as the Chiuse Vidalba which is the high end cuvee but this is delicious and very well made. Nose has a floral-cassis thing that is so appealing. Nose now has hits of tar and forest floor. Really dig this. Super juicy and so pure. Excellent. Long as f. — 4 years ago

Guy Acheson

9.3

A straight forward Merlot. Clean nose. Modest tannins. Good acid. Long finish. Not fruit forward. — 6 years ago

Jeff Rausch

9.2

Really nice, but didn't have a aerator. I am convinced it was a great Wine — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Had to get a bottle for holidays. Beautiful dark color, blend of Tempranillo, Graciano & Mazuelo, aged in new French oak for 24 months. Concentrated red fruit aromas with light oak and spice. On the palate ripe red fruit flavors, complex with layers fruit & spice, noting espresso, cacao and toasty oak. Tannins are a bit biting now but should softer with time. Lingering, great balance on the finish ending with . Decant to drink now, otherwise let this baby sit in the cellar. No ‘12 or ‘13, so grab ‘10 & ‘11 now — 7 years ago

Stephen Dodson

9.1

Friday night dinner - drinking well now — 5 months ago

Matthew Doty

9.1

2022 vintage. Very nice, especially for the price. A little too bitter for H, but I quite liked it. Best within first few hours of opening — 6 months ago

Carter White

9.0

Nice fruit/earth combo, well structured, a bit of a bite, that took a couple days to calm down, then it was singing — 3 years ago

K L

9.0

Fresh and round. More full bodied than expected. Very drinkable. Would get again. Nice alternative to a sav Blanc — not as acidic. Kurt Wine. — 4 years ago

with Matt

Ely Cohn

9.1

Two perspectives: first vibrancy and youth, then wisdom from age. Begins optimistic - bright red berries and minerals with interesting inflections - iron rich beef liver, seared in butter, wild Maine blueberry reduction.

Then darker, concentrated, experienced advice. Dried wrinkly fruits - raisins, prunes, dates. Like Amarone.

They come together to tell a good story from both sides. — 5 years ago

Micah Kassner

9.5

Medium light body, light color, good effervescence, a bit of acidity and nice floral notes — 7 years ago

Brittany B.

9.2

Not a heavy full body wine, but has a rounded flavor and purple grape color verses red. — 7 years ago

romo

9.1

Quite a value, esp here. Crispy and firm. — 6 months ago

Michael

9.1

Better than the last time I had it a couple years ago, love how these northern slope whites age — 6 months ago

Jenn Ingle

9.0

Nose - Crayons (in a good way), Old wood barrels and Petrichor. Main tastes - Muted fruit flavors because it’s so soft and smooth on the tannins for the most part. Maybe a bit of crab apples from the acid. Really approachable food wine. I love Montepulcianos so I’m a bit bias here with my rating but overall it’s really nice. — 9 months ago

Natalia Ignatenko

9.3

Delicious! Dark chocolate, blackberry, black currant, a little spicy and sweet. WS northern Italy tasting. — 4 years ago

Brian Hearty

9.1

2012. We were pleasantly surprised how much we enjoyed this 10 year old, $10 dark red blend (maybe because our cellar is woefully under represented in dry Portuguese wines). Equal parts Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Tinto Roriz; and Castelão. The fruit was deep but not jammy, smooth tannins, and a little acidity and brett to lift up the finish. — 4 years ago

Reem Hafez

9.2

Mama Hafez dinner, Dec 14, 2019 — 6 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Simply awesome. Cool climate Sangiovese is where it is at and this is a superb example. It’s such a clean and precise wine. Mid season cherries, sour cherries, glorious cherry flower and spices. Nice soil tones as well. Mineral undertones as well. Licorice. Stunning aromas. After air it’s just an insane perfume. The palate is terrific. Juicy, pure and very linear, with wonderful sweet/sour cherry fruit, a hit of mid palate opulence and wonderful velvety, perfectly ripe tannins. Terrific freshness. Has the guts and structure for at least 10-12 years of aging and improving. Wonderful stuff. — 7 years ago

with Matthew