Brigaldara Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico 2019

Deep garnet in color, Brigaldara’s 2019 Amarone Classico opens with expressive aromas of ripe red cherry, wild raspberry and plum, layered with dried violets, cocoa, balsamic spice and hints of dried herbs. The palate is rich and full-bodied yet remarkably poised, balancing concentrated dark and red fruit with lively acidity, supple richness and firm, polished tannins. Subtle earthy and mineral notes carry through a long, warm finish with a lovely sweet-and-savory character.

Made from 45% Corvina, 40% Corvinone and 15% Rondinella, this Amarone comes from the historic vineyard surrounding the Brigaldara estate at the entrance to the Marano Valley in the heart of Valpolicella Classica. West-facing vines grow in tuff-rich soils that provide excellent drainage and water retention while the valley’s natural ventilation helps moderate the growing conditions. The finest, best-exposed grape clusters are hand-harvested in September and dried in a controlled environment for approximately 120 days using the traditional appassimento method. After fermentation on the skins with regular pump-overs and délestage to encourage color and flavor extraction, the wine ages for three years in wood, beginning in small barrels before moving to larger casks.

The name Brigaldara first appears in a deed from 1260, referring to a cluster of farmhouses and the surrounding countryside near San Floriano, in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica district. Today the estate is owned by the Cesari family, with winemaker Stefano Cesari overseeing about fifty hectares of vineyards and olive groves. The winery favors natural, traditional production methods, aiming to let each wine reflect the character of this long-cultivated terroir just outside the Marano valley.