A vivid ruby color with a garnet tinge and super-restrained nose of licorice, oak bark, smoke, wood, cigar box, leather, dark chocolate, crushed violets and prunes. Freshness and subtlety. Full-bodied and elegant on the palate due to ripe, filigree tannins with long acidity and a toasty, savory aftertaste. One of the great Amarones. Corvina and Rondinella. Ready to drink now, but intended for the long haul.

Cedary spices mix with shavings of dark chocolate and crushed black raspberries as the 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico entices from the glass. Cool-toned and crisp, it offers silken textures offset by depths of tart red berry fruits and balsamic tones. A pleasantly bitter sensation puckers the cheeks, as fine tannins saturate and nuances of sour citrus fade. Despite the warm vintage, Bertani has found a beautiful balance in its 2015 Amarone. -- Eric Guido

This elegant red shows lovely length and integration and feels fresh and focused despite its 10 years of aging on release. Mineral-driven, with an underpinning of iron and loamy earth to the mix of dried cherry and red currant fruit, bitter herb, cocoa powder, and singed orange peel notes. Fine, taut tannins firm the well-spiced finish. Corvina and Rondinella. Best from 2027 through 2040. - AN