2009 Dal Forno Romano Monte Lodoletta Museum Release Amarone Delle Valpolicella, Veneto

The Dal Forno family considered the idea of releasing their Amarone ten years after the harvest. If that plan had been implemented, this would be the vintage on the market now. The 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is a full and generous expression that delivers thick lines and robust flavors of dried blackberry, camphor ash, exotic cedar wood, licorice and tarry road pavement. This vintage saw average temperatures throughout the growing season with a few hailstorms along the way. Very dry weather led to some mild drought in July and August, with ensuing ripening and concentration of the clusters. I found this monumental wine to be irresistible when I first tasted it five years ago, and I consider it to have improved since then. This is one of the most complete and comprehensive vintages produced at Dal Forno, and it gives us an ample 360-degree view onto the might, brawn and potential of this icon wine from the Veneto. Its evolutionary track shows no sign of slowing down.

99 points ML robertparker.com

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)