Masi Costasera Amarone Classico

Amarone della Valpolicella (or simply known as Amarone) is one of Italy’s great red wines and pretty much one of those must-try-before-you-die styles for the wine loving hardcore.

It ain’t cheap and you’re lucky to find much under $100. But it’s difficult to produce, goes through a meticulous ageing method and it’s pretty scarce. But far out it’s worth it!

Valpolicella is a famous sub region of Veneto in the north-west of Italy and has three main zones – Classico, Valpantena, and Est (“East”). Amarone is a style that follows an Ancient Roman technique of grape drying called “appassimento”. The best grapes are picked and laid on racks in special air-conditioned lofts and left to dry for 4-5 months. By this stage the grapes have lost 35% of their original weight and have highly concentrated sugars.

Produced using Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes – this is what the guys at Masi like to call their ‘Gentle Giant’. This is a big, full bodied red full of dried red fruit flavours, vanilla and spice and velvety smooth tannins. An absolute delight!

This Amarone is made by a pioneer of the Veneto wine region – the Masi group. Their history in the region dates back to 1722 and the Boscaini family’s first harvest in the vineyards of Vajo dei Masi, a valley in the heart of Valpolicella Classica.

Scoring 93/100 with James Suckling who said “Rich and spicy on the nose with dried-berry, plum, walnut and bark aromas and flavors. Lush and velvety on the palate with depth and generosity to the fruit. Sweetish, chocolatey aftertaste. Chunky.”

Drink now or cellaring for 10-20 years from vintage – although the Masi crew reckon if stored well it could last for 30-35 years from vintage. Pair it with braised meats and aged cheese.