Mont’Albano Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2018

Although seemingly light on its feet on first sip, the elegantly structured 2018 Mont’Albano Amarone della Valpolicella (94 Points: Wine Enthusiast) conjures images of the finest food and wine Northern Italy has to offer. Aromatic, flavorful, and graced with the scents and flavors of ripe red berries, strawberry coulis, nutmeg, and other savory spices, the 2018 Mont’Albano Amarone della Valpolicella builds in the glass. Rich in flavor, yet velvety in texture, it’s easy to forget that this classic Amarone born on the steep slopes of Valpolicella weighs in at 15.5% ABV. A warmer than usual vintage has imbued this blend of 50% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella, and 5% Oseleta with a delightful mix of fruit, body, and power. In true Amarone fashion, Mont’Albano’s 2018 Amarone can be initially reticent, so let it breathe. Prior to serving at cool room temperature (60°-64° F), afford this special wine at least 30 minutes of aeration to truly blossom in the glass. It’s worth the wait. You won’t be disappointed. Enjoy it now and often for the remainder of the decade. Anticipated maturity: 2024-2030. Enjoy!

Amarone is a wine to accompany the heartiest of fare or simply to ward off the chill of a cold winter night. The finest cuts of meat and the world’s most exquisite cheeses make especially fine companions. Mont’Albano’s gracious 2018 Amarone della Valpolicella provides the ideal choice for all occasions. Braised Short Ribs in Amarone wine served over polenta or mashed potatoes earns two thumbs up. Beef cheeks make a fine substitute for the short ribs and offer an authentic glimpse at a classic local dish. Other favorite accompaniments include Brasato all’Amarone (braised beef with Amarone risotto) and Cacciatora (wild boar braised in rosemary, sage, garlic and wine) with roasted potatoes. Lamb, venison, pot roast, and hearty stews make ideal companions, too, as do duck, game birds, and flavorful risottos. And, perhaps the most rewarding glass of Amarone is the one that completes a special meal, enjoyed in the company of a fine aged Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, Gorgonzola, or aged Gouda. Enjoy the 2018 Mont’Albano Amarone della Valpolicella as it warms the body and enlivens the soul. Buon Appetito!

Located in Negrar di Valpolicella, Mont’Albano is the dream and aspiration of the Sartori family. Endowed with a deep sense of the land, Pietro Sartori purchased his first vineyard and the villa, which now houses the estate’s headquarters, in 1898. For more than 125 years the Sartoris have been fashioning the classic wines of Italy’s majestic Veneto.

Since its inception, the baton has been passed to four generations of Sartori brothers with Luca and Andrea Sartori the present guardians and visionaries. They are leading Sartori to even greater heights. The Sartoris specialize in organic viticulture and their wines, including this month’s feature (the 2018 Mont’Albano Amarone), are European Certified Organic. The 2018 Mont’Albano Amarone is the product of the finest ripe, organically grown grapes that were dried in ventilated rooms for three months before being fermented and pressed. It then enjoyed a 30 month stay in large oak barrels and additional time in bottle before release. Taste and enjoy what the 2018 Mont’Albano Amarone della Valpolicella has to offer.

Amarone is one of Italy’s most prized wines. It is a special red wine made near Verona in the Valpolicella area of Italy’s Veneto using the Appassimento method. Appassimentorequires extensive air drying of select physiologically ripe local grape varieties, specifically Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella grapes, before pressing and extensive barrel ageing. The dehydration of the grapes results in concentrated, complex wines with a higher than average alcohol content and an illusion of sweetness in good vintages that is balanced by strong ripe tannins. Amarones are especially age-worthy red wines that can easily offer outstanding drinking pleasure for 10-20 years or more. In their youth, Amarone is best consumed with food, while mature versions are often enjoyed on their own or with walnuts and a few crumbles of the finest aged cheese.