Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2021
Torre d’Orti – Veneto, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A traditional Amarone crafted primarily from Corvina (with Corvinone), Rondinella, and a small percentage of Molinara, produced using the appassimento method (partially dried grapes). 17% ABV. A powerful expression leaning rustic rather than refined in this vintage.

Aromas & Flavors
Dried cherry, baked plum, subtle fig, light cocoa, faint walnut and restrained raisin tones. Tertiary notes present but not deeply layered.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and structured with elevated alcohol. Firm tannins and a slightly edgy texture. Lacks the seamless velvety integration expected from more polished Amarone examples.

Food Pairings
Braised meats, aged cheeses, wild boar ragù, mushroom-based dishes.

Verdict
Technically correct and gastronomic, but did not fully deliver the plush refinement and layered complexity often associated with top-tier Amarone. Better at the table than as a contemplative standalone pour.

🍷 Did You Know?
Corvina is the aromatic backbone of Amarone, responsible for cherry and spice notes, while Rondinella contributes color and structure. Balance during drying is crucial, integration is everything. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

A blend of 92% Merlot & 8% Cab Franc, elevated to Premier Grand Cru Classé in 2012, deep Ruby with aromas of black fruits, complex spice and notes of forest floor. On the palate flavors blackberry and black cherry with notes of cacao, espresso and licorice. Fine smooth tannins, great mouthfeel, long finish ending with toasty cedar notes and earthy mineral character. Just starting to show beautifully and will for next decade. Nice! — 3 years ago

Elizabeth Vecseri

9.2

Pretty sure this is the one we had paired with the rack of lamb. It was so soft and smooth from the aging in concrete vats. Lightly fruity and not too heavy on the tannins, it elevated the lamb nicely so that the whole course was not heavy. — 4 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

This is so good. Cooking now but more notes soon. It’s got this uncanny elegance on the palate plus this unreal concentration of sweet oak, minerals and fleshy fruit but backed up by ripping acids. Buttery Meursault but elevated beyond. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured from a magnum; no formal notes. This is probably the third or fourth time I’ve had the 2014 Caravina and while it’s still quite primary, this is the best showing yet. Bright red and black fruits with tobacco, a whiff of bell pepper and some baking spices. Firm structure with grippy tannins. The acid is elevated but welcome, particularly since it helped to slice through the fat of the prime rib. Finish is long and satisfying. Drink now and through 2034. — 3 years ago

Shengli Hu

8.9

Tobacco, pyrazene, oak, graphite, blackcurrant, tart red and black fruits, pencil shaving. High acidity, elevated integrated tannins, medium body. Juicy fruit on mid palate. So I called it St Emilion…. 46% Cabernet Sauv, 36% Merlot, ?? Petit Verdot, … — 4 years ago

Matt

9.5

Brightly fruited, firm tannin, moving towards tertiary with plenty of life left in the fruit. Roasted red plum, roasted black cherry, almost red currants. Hot earth, smoke, Ceylon, dried flowers, leather, juniper, creosote, white pepper. VA is elevated but works nicely for me, lift and almost tightens up the palate somewhat. Almost every 2014 Priorat I’ve had has been awesome and bright, distinctive minerality in spades — 4 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.2

Deep ruby/purple. Forest floor, clove, red currant, red cassis, vanilla, lean Cab Sauv texture. Dark cassis on the palate, cardamom. Chalky elevated tannins. In a good place already. — 3 years ago

Nicolas Greinacher

9.7

The 2001 Le Clos du Caillou Reserve is probably the most thrilling effort made by the late Jean-Denis Vacheron. Deep garnet in color, the wine displays intense aromas of dried provence herbs, iodine, dried strawberries, red cherries and plums, blackberry liquor, leather, forrest floor and a dash of white pepper. Full-bodied, the palate is almost overwhelmed by insane levels of fruit concentration and elevated alcohol, but there is just enough acidity to keep everything in balance. The long lasting, persistent finish confirms a wine of outstanding quality. Drink now until 2030. — 3 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.6

VA, dusty forest floor, fresh red cherry and raspberry, cherry liqueur, purple flower - lavender, red prune, just ripe fig, hefty nose of fresh rosemary, blackberry. Elevated acidity, fine pulverized integrated smooth medium tannins, crushed stone, dried red cherry, dried tomato, dried rose petal. Long lingering finish on the tomato leaf notes. This is what was paired with Grilled Lamb at Lazy Bear when we went late Aug 2022. — 4 years ago