3 Cru Amarone Valpolicella 2019 (Rizzardi)

Drink now or cellar for up to 8 years. Decant 2 hours before serving. The Guerrieri Rizzardi estate was founded in 1914 following a marriage between two local families, the Counts Guerrieri and the Counts Rizzardi, who were respected wine producers in the Veneto region. Over the years the family has sought to produce top quality wines which stay true to the region’s noble winemaking traditions. The estate is currently run by Giuseppe and Agostino Rizzardi who have sought to modernise their winemaking practices while honouring their ancient family connection to this land. This sumptuous Amarone takes its name from the three Cru vineyards, Calcarole, Pojega & Rovereti, where the grapes are sourced for this wine. Calcarole is a steep 5 hectare vineyard located on a hill, while Pojega and Rovereti are planted on gentle slopes on clay soils. Following the harvest the grapes are carefully raisined in a well-ventilated room for three and a half months. They are then fermented slowly over the course of a month and matured in small oak barrels for 12 months and in large 25 hl barrels for a further 24 months. This produces a magnificent Amarone that exudes rich dark berry and sweet spice aromas along with hints of toasty oak. The first sip reveals a generous full body, firm structure and luscious blackcurrant jam, dark chocolate, leather and licorice flavours which linger on the tongue.