2019 Buglioni L'Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Veneto

The Buglioni L’Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a powerful yet elegant red that epitomises the character of one of Italy’s most iconic wine styles. Founded in 1993, the Buglioni family estate has become one of the leading modern voices of Valpolicella, combining traditional methods with a contemporary sense of balance and finesse. Amarone is crafted from handpicked Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara grapes that are dried slowly in lofts (appassimento) to concentrate flavour and richness before fermentation and long oak maturation. The result is a wine of remarkable depth, warmth and harmony.

In the glass it is deep garnet with ruby reflections. The bouquet is intense and layered, showing dried cherry, blackberry and plum alongside notes of fig, dark chocolate, liquorice, tobacco and sweet spice. On the palate it is full-bodied and velvety, with concentrated dark fruits framed by supple tannins and balanced by a fresh acid line that keeps the richness in check. Hints of coffee, clove and savoury herbs carry through to a long, warming and luxurious finish.

Food pairings celebrate its power and complexity: braised beef cheeks, venison with juniper, osso buco, or slow-cooked lamb shanks. It also pairs superbly with aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or Gorgonzola. With 15 to 20 years of cellaring potential, this Amarone develops even greater depth, evolving into notes of truffle, leather, dried herbs and cocoa while retaining its fruit intensity.