Cantina di Illasi Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG

'Valpolicella' is a very famous wine appellation on the hills above Verona. Literally translating to 'Valley of Many Cellars'. Valpolicella essentially has three main tiers of quality, all made predominantly from the same native grapes: Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella. The top wines from the appellation are 'Amarone della Valpolicella', where high quality grapes are picked then dried in special rooms for 3-4 months until they shrivel, losing 30-40% of their water content but leaving behind all the sugars, with a much higher juice-to-skin ratio. This is then fermented to a dry wine producing a densely concentrated hedonistic wine with high alcohol, and full but superbly silky tannins, aged a minimum of 2 years in barrel before further aging in bottle.

This is a classical example of Amarone produced by Cantina di Soave, an important wine co-op based in Verona. The wine is a blend of 70% Corvina, the balance Molinara and Rondinella grapes.Intense ruby colour, rich front on the front and mid palate with roasted plum, black cherry, subtle raisin and herb notes completing an intense core with a luscious finish.

The best value Amarone we've come across that still expresses the core of what the appellation is all about.