2010 Dal Forno Romano Amarone Delle Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta (Museum Release), Veneto

99/100 - International Wine Report

The 2010 Amarone della Valpolicella from Dal Forno is a truly majestic wine and may ultimately be one of the most successful wines to ever come from this iconic estate in Val D’Illasi. When it comes to Amarone, Dal Forno is a benchmark, using traditional methods in the vineyard, and modern techniques in the cellar to achieve the highest quality. Dal Forno only selects the finest bunches. In this vintage the Amarone includes 60% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Croatina, 10% Oseleta.

The selected grapes are placed in plastic plateaux and are then left to rest for 90 days in large open rooms, where an innovative ventilation system helps maintain an elevated and thorough air flow. The fruit, which still contains some residual sugar, is then placed into new barriques, where it begins a slow fermentation process, which will last for a further 18 months. The wine remains in the barriques 36 months.

The end result is an absolutely stunning wine, which flirts with the limits of perfection as it displays a pitch dark colour and offers seductive and incredibly complex aromatics of black cherries, blackberries, ripe mission figs, black winter truffles, dark chocolate, violets with traces of leather and tobacco all taking shape.

While the aromatics are intoxicating, the most impressive feature in this full-bodied red is its remarkable balance and structure. This possesses a gorgeous velvety, polished texture and awe-inspiring depth and concentration, which is backed by core of underlying minerality resulting in the perfect median between raw power and sheer class. Everything comes together seamlessly on the long, multidimensional finish, which lingers on, leaving a lasting impression. While this is already completely fascinating, patience will be a virtue, as this age-worthy Amarone will thrive in the cellar for decades to come. (Best 2020-2040)