2013 Castelforte Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, rich and raucous. Intense fruit cake aromas, with a touch of orange and cola. The palate is full bodied and intense. blackcurrant and plums dominate, with a bitter chocolate edge evening out the richness. Settle in with a big hunk of cheese.
Known as Amarone, Amarone della Valolichella is a typically rich Italian dry red wine made from partially dried Corvina (45-95%, of which up to 50% could be Corvinone, Rondinella (5-30%) and other approved red grape varieties (up to 25%).
Castelforte Amarone is made from dried 65% Corvina, 10% Corvinone and 20% Rondinella grapes.
A long, slow fermentation and minimum 18 month aging in large oak give this dry, full-bodied red wine a deep garnet red colour, a complex bouquet of cinnamon, cherry jam and walnut and a palate of ripe black cherry fruit with notes of vanilla and coffee on the finish.
It pairs perfectly with rich pasta dishes, game and grilled or stewed red meats as well as mature cheeses.