2016 Masi Costasera Amarone Della Valpolicella, Veneto

I love the semidried, cranberry-like fruit base to the aromas, decorated by notes of very dark chocolate and coffee bean. Medium-to full-bodied with a very silky, refined feel to the palate. Tight bead of super clean fruit and fine, polished tannins. Long yet tight, crystal-clear finish that lingers. Exquisite Amarone. The tight, focused and balanced nature to this makes you want to drink it now. But it will get even better with some bottle age. Try from 2023.

96 points jamessuckling.com Feb 2022

Proud, majestic, complex and exuberant: this is Masi's gentle giant. A benchmark for the Amarone category, which, together with Barolo and Brunello, makes up the aristocracy of the Italian wine world.

The product of Masi's unrivalled expertise in the appassimento technique, whereby traditional grapes for the Valpolicella Classica area - Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara - are laid out on bamboo racks to concentrate their aromas during the winter months. A classic interpretation, the Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Costasera offers power and personality. The bouquet shows your standard Amarone aromas of sweet spice and overripe fruit. Costasera adds class and finesse thanks to the slow way in which the wine evolves in the glass. The mouthfeel also treads with a delicate pace. Its silky texture never feels too heavy or overburdened.