Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico 2015

Bertani's Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is one of the reference bottles of the appellation, made in the same patient way for generations. The fruit is Corvina Veronese 80% and Rondinella 20% from Tenuta Novare in Arbizzano di Negrar; the bunches dry in the estate lofts for around 78 days, then ferment slowly in concrete for some 45 days, and the wine ages seven years in Slavonian oak casks of 50 to 100 hectolitres before a final rest in bottle. It belongs to the dry, savoury school of Amarone: morello cherry, plum and dried cherry over tea leaf, licorice and soft spice, with firm acidity and fine tannins in place of sheer weight. The 2015 drinks well today and will hold for many years; decant about an hour and serve at 16 to 18 °C with braised beef cheeks, roast duck or a rich bigoli with meat ragù, keeping a last glass for aged Monte Veronese at the end of the meal.