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
Enjoyed 2024 vintage on January 13, 2025. Surprisingly smooth! — 4 months ago
Salty minerality on the nose with a hint of citrus, the palate is all minerals with crisp green apple and some lime acidity, but the weighty body keeps it balanced. Super yummy, which I don't usually say of an Italian wine! — 2 months ago
Friday night dinner - drinking well now — 4 months ago
2022 vintage. Very nice, especially for the price. A little too bitter for H, but I quite liked it. Best within first few hours of opening — 5 months ago
2024 vintage on Mar 13th 2026 — 2 months ago
Aragosta — Vermentino di Sardegna DOC
Sardegna, Italy 🇮🇹
Overview
A 100% Vermentino from Sardegna DOC, crafted in a fresh, coastal-driven style that captures the island’s marine influence. This is a casual, vibrant expression built on lift, salinity, and drinkability, a true Mediterranean white with energy to spare.
Aromas & Flavors
Bright lemon zest, green apple, and white peach with clear sea-breeze salinity and subtle herbal undertones. There’s a crisp citrus core that feels sharp and focused, yet never aggressive.
Mouthfeel
Lively and razor-fresh, with uplifting acidity and pronounced saline tension. It’s “crazy sharp” in precision but rounded at the edges, finishing smooth with a light, pleasant textural glide that keeps it balanced and highly approachable.
Food Pairings
Grilled shrimp, seafood linguine, oysters, calamari, light fried fish, beachside antipasti, or simply chilled on a warm afternoon.
Verdict
A bright, energetic Sardinian Vermentino that delivers exactly what you want from a coastal white, freshness, salinity, and clarity. Casual in spirit, yet technically well-balanced and satisfying.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is the type of Vermentino that makes you appreciate the island breeze in liquid form. Sharp, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink, a reliable Mediterranean companion. — 3 months ago
Anthony Pro
Happy Easter. — 2 months ago