In February, 2024, Valpolicella wine specialist Matt Steeves covered the 2019 vintage release of Amarone della Valpolicella, a five-star vintage that has garnered attention for its exceptional structure, complexity, and remarkable aging potential. Here he provides this special report, highlighting his top selections from nearly 100 wines tasted
In Italy’s most iconic wine regions, it’s customary to host annual previews of the latest vintages before the wines hit the market. These events, called “Anteprima” (preview), offer wine lovers and industry professionals a unique opportunity to taste a broad range of wines from the region, highlighting the distinct characteristics of the current vintage.
In Valpolicella, the Anteprima event takes place each winter and showcases Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG wines that have been aged for about five years. This aging process gives participants a chance to taste the evolution of the vintage and get a sense of its future potential. The most recent Anteprima event focused on the 2019 vintage, while 2025’s event will spotlight the 2020 vintage.
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Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG is one of Italy’s most celebrated wines, originating from the Veneto region in the northeast. What makes Amarone stand out from other red wines is its distinctive winemaking process, known as appassimento. This ancient technique involves drying the harvested grapes before fermentation, which concentrates the sugars and flavours in the fruit. The result is a rich, full-bodied wine with complex layers of dried fruit, spice, tobacco, and mint, balanced by a structure that makes it perfect for long-term cellaring.
Amarone’s depth and character have earned it a dedicated following among wine enthusiasts worldwide. Its extraordinary aging potential—often improving for decades—means that those who are patient enough to cellar it will be rewarded with a wine that becomes even more complex and captivating over time. For collectors seeking wines that deliver both immediate pleasure and long-term rewards, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG should definitely be on your radar.
The appassimento technique: the heart of Amarone
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG wines are made from a blend of indigenous grape varieties that thrive in the region’s unique climate and terroir. The primary grapes used are corvina, corvinone, rondinella, and molinara. Corvina is the dominant grape, contributing vibrant acidity and aromatic complexity to the final wine, while the other varieties add depth and enhance the structure making very well balanced and complex wines.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG is often referred to as a “technique wine,” and for good reason. The true magic of Amarone lies in the appassimento process, which begins immediately after harvest. The grapes are picked slightly earlier than usual, before they reach full ripeness, to preserve their acidity and balance. These early-harvested grapes are then carefully laid out on racks, known as arele, in well-ventilated drying rooms called fruttaio.
Matt Steeves works on tasting notes while sampling during the Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Antiprima in Italy.
Over the course of three or more months, the grapes slowly dry and wither, losing water and concentrating their sugars, acids, and aromatic compounds. This process results in grapes with a more intense flavour profile, which, when fermented, produce wines with a fuller body, higher alcohol content, and extraordinary depth of flavour.
The extended drying time brings out rich notes of black fruit like black cherry and plum, as well as complex aromas of tobacco, spices, and pepper. The wine also takes on more nuanced characteristics, including balsamic accents and a refreshing minty lift, adding layers of intrigue to its profile. The final result is a wine that is both powerful and elegant, with a balanced structure that continues to evolve and improve over time.
Amarone is a wine that rewards patience—both in its production and in its aging. The more you cellar it, the more it transforms, revealing new layers of complexity and richness that make it a true collector’s gem. If you’re looking to expand your cellar with wines that offer both immediate enjoyment and future promise, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG is a must-have.
2019 vintage characteristics: a collector’s dream
The 2019 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG is a standout, earning a well-deserved five-star rating. To find a vintage of this caliber, one has to go back to 2012, with 2016 coming close but offering a more powerful style with less finesse. The 2019 Amarone wines strike a perfect balance; they are approachable in their youth, yet they are also structured for long-term aging. The best examples have the potential to age for over 30 years, making this an exceptional vintage.
The high-altitude vineyards at Tenuta Santa Maria Valverde in the Classico region of Valpolicella.
During my visit to the Amarone Opera Prima event in Verona last February, I had the opportunity to taste nearly 100 expressions of Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, each showcasing a variety of styles—from light, elegant wines to rich, deeply-coloured expressions with intense flavours. Despite these stylistic differences, one thing was clear across the board: the 2019 vintage is marked by an impressive baseline of quality and structure.
Several expressions from the 2019 vintage truly stood out during the tasting, and I highly recommend keeping an eye out for these wines as they become available in market. They’ll make an excellent addition to any cellar, particularly if you’re fortunate enough to source them in your area.
Here’s my short list of top rated/must-try Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG wines from the great 2019 vintage:
Starting off with Torre di Terzolan’s Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2019. In a single session where I tasted 72 Amarones, uninterrupted, Torre di Terzolan’s was a standout. While we’ll still have to wait until 2026 for their 2019 Amarone to be released to market, it was showing beautifully already and merits top accolades.
Torre di Terzolan is situated minutes north of Verona up the valley in the little town of Trezzolano where they tend four organic vineyards, with a total of around three hectares at an elevation up to 350 metres. The four vineyards include: La Mezzaluna, La Pala, Il Binte and Il Brolo, where they grow indigenous varieties from Valpolicella, including corvina, corvinone, rondinella, and croatina to produce their Amarone della Valpolicella and their Valpolicella Superiore wines.
The preview sample of 2019 Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG showed delicious, dried cherry, graham cracker, New York cherry cheesecake, dried dark fruit, subtle herbs and baking spice. The palate offers drying fruit, more cherry, all in a very fresh and elegant style. Fine textured tannins, beautifully integrated with the fresh dark fruit, dried cherry, and delicate spices which persist on the long refreshing finish.
A unique style of Amarone showing impressive balance and structure certain to enable long term cellaring and reward those with patience. Enjoy when released and cellar for two plus decades to appreciate the evolution this wine will deliver, highlighting the strength of this five-star vintage for which Torre di Terzolan has captured beautifully in this stand-out.
Contrada Palui.
Another memorable wine was the 2019 Contrada Palui (a pre-release sample, and only the second vintage made of this Amarone to-date). I love discovering a new wine that leaves a lasting impression; a wine that stands out in a sea of premium wines given its unique characteristics; a wine that you find yourself reflecting on hours, days, and weeks after tasting it.
Contrada Palui, a relatively new Valpolicella producer that has entered the market with one of the most elegant and expressive terroir-focused wines you’ll find in all of Valpolicella, and it’s an Amarone.
Proprietor Hannes (Hans Karl) Pichler established his naturally organic vineyard perched high up on a hill in a valley north east of Verona. This greenfield vineyard sits at 500 metres elevation and given its location it receives sun all day long while the Lessinian Alps, immediately to the north, provide cool mountain air preserving the vibrant acidity in the grapes.
I was impressed with the flinty minerality characteristics it displayed. Terroir-focused wines in Valpolicella isn’t a new trend. Each of the valleys host seemingly countless unique vineyards of every shape, aspect, elevation, and soil composition, all producing distinct wines. There have been incredible single vineyard appassimento wines produced for decades throughout Valpolicella too, however, the process of drying grapes can often push those wines into a category perceived to be more of a ‘technique wine’ than a ‘terroir wine’. Perhaps this is where the talent and craftmanship of the winemaking team shines brightest.
2019 Contrada Palui Amarone della Valpolicella – Remarkably light colour, very faint ruby red with a garnet hue. First appearance would suggest this isn’t a 16% abv Amarone, then the aromas confirm in fact it is. Very intriguing and complex bouquet of dried red fruits, dried cherry, herb garden, floral, sweet tobacco, and distinctive flinty-minerality. The palate shows refreshing bright berry notes, dried fruit, spice and herbs. It’s elegant, with tart dried fruit, spice, distinctive flint, and great structure. Enjoy over the next 10+ years with charcuterie and creamy pasta dishes.
Roccolo Grassi Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Roccolo Grassi Single Vineyard (barrel sample) – Brother and sister team, Marco and Francesca Sartoli, produce this single vineyard Amarone from the eastern edge of Valpolicella towards Soave. The colour is ruby red, the nose shows impressive complexity with dried dark fruit and savoury characteristics, including beef stock, herbs, and graphite. The palate brings refreshing dark fruit, cassis, rosemary, with fine integrated tannis and refreshing dark fruit persist on the long finish. Unclear when this will be released to market but already showing signs of great harmony, finesse, and complexity and with the structure to age for decades. Enjoy 2025-2040+.
Ilatium Morini’s 2019 Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG “Campo Leon” pre-release sample tasted during Anteprima Amarone in Verona. The wine is anticipated to be released in January 2025 or when the winemaker deems it ready for commercial release. Ruby red colour, the nose shows dried dark fruit, plum, fig, tobacco, and incense. Super refreshing, with cherry, tart dark fruits, black tea, salted dark chocolate, and youthful fine-grained tannins persisting on the long textured finish. A complex and well structured Amarone which will pair beautifully with braised dishes, creamy risotto, and aged cheese. Enjoy 2026-2036+.
The pre-release preview of Santi’s 2019 “Carlo Santi 1843” Amarone showed great harmony, complexity, and overall potential from this five star vintage. Ruby with a slight garnet hue, the nose shows dried plum, cherry, orange peel, herbs, and expressive spice notes. Great intensity, beautifully balanced with loads of dried fruit, spice, and herbs on the long finish. Santi’s Carlo Santi Amarone is anticipated to be released to market in fall 2024. Enjoy 2025-2040.
A view from Corte Figaretto’s vineyards in the Valpantena valley of Valpolicella just before sunset.
2019 Corte Figaretto Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Valpantena Brolo del Figaretto – This family run winery is situated minutes north of Verona in the heart of Valpolicella’s Valpantena Valley. It’s here where the winemaking team of Mauro (father) and Sofia (daughter) produce their impressive Brolo (wall) del Figaretto Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Valpantena. This wine caught my attention a few years ago with its super approachable, ripe, balanced, and complex profile. Each vintage I’ve tasted since has impressed so when I visited Verona this winter it was first winery I visited, and as expected, it impressed. Medium ruby, slight garnet hue, the nose shows dried cherries, sweet dark fruits, dark chocolate, incense, and sweet tobacco. Palate repeats, harmonious, more dried cherry, plum, sweet spices, and sage on the finish. Velvety smooth with fine grained tannins. Showing wonderfully now but this is a wine you’ll want to enjoy over the next decade and beyond with braised dishes, grilled steak with Port reduction, or firm aged cheese.
The 2019 Secondo Marco Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and unwavering dedication of winemaker Marco Speri to produce some of the finest wines in Valpolicella. Located in Fumane, in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico area between Lake Garda and ancient city of Verona, Secondo Marco’s vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate, with warm breezes from Lake Garda in the morning and cool mountain air in the late afternoon that travels down from the Lessini Mountains. This microclimate coupled with mineral-rich soils and Speri’s unique “Y” shaped pergola vines, creates a unique terroir perfect for the gradual ripening of the grapes while preserving their freshness, resulting in wines with great concentration and harmony.
Marco Speri’s approach to winemaking is both patient and precise. He vinifies and ages each varietal separately, blending them only when they have reached an important level of integration and harmony. This painstaking process, spanning nearly a decade, is instrumental in creating the expressive and well-structured wines for which Secondo Marco is renowned.
The 2019 vintage, hailed as a five-star year, has yielded another remarkable expression of Amarone at Secondo Marco. This wine exhibits a light ruby hue, hinting at its finesse. The nose is a symphony of aromas, with dried cherry, plum, fragrant spices, herbs, tobacco, and a subtle note of scorched earth. On the palate, the fruit and spice harmonize beautifully, balanced by fine tannins that impart a remarkably smooth and refreshing finish lasting minutes on the palate.
While winemaker Marco Speri plans to let this wine rest for another three years in barrel before bottling, it is already showing beautifully and is expected to gain further integration and complexity leading up to its release in ~2027. This is a wine worthy of investment, one that will show beautifully upon release and over the next three decades. Anticipated optimal drinking window: 2027-2050.
Sabaini Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (pre-release sample). Grapes are sourced from the Monte Castello d’Illasi and Monte Tomelon vineyards in the heart of the Val d’Illasi, northeast of Verona. The nose shows a complex bouquet of dried cherry, plum, baking spice, rosemary and balsamic notes. Repeat on the palate with spicy fruit wrapped in soft tannins persisting on the long finish. Dynamite alongside BBQ’d steak with Port reduction or any braised dish like osso buco. Enjoy 2024-2038.
Celestino Gaspari, the winemaker behind Zýmē, is now one of the most renowned names in Valpolicella winemaking. His journey began alongside the iconic Giuseppe Quintarelli, arguably the most revered producer in Valpolicella history. These formative years working with Quintarelli laid the foundation for Gaspari’s progressive and curious approach, which has led Zýmē to become one of the most respected ultra-premium wineries in Valpolicella.
Matt Steeves and Celestino Gaspari.
Zýmē’s portfolio reflects Gaspari’s passion for pushing boundaries. Alongside super expressive ‘traditional’ Valpolicella wines, he crafts IGT wines that are among the most sought after in the world. Gaspari’s meticulous attention to detail in both the vineyards and the winery, combined with his patient and low-intervention approach, underscores his overarching goal: to consistently produce the highest quality wines possible each vintage. This commitment has garnered a cult-like following for his wines globally.
Gaspari remains humble, acknowledging that his wines have not yet reached the pinnacle he strives for. This sentiment is symbolized on some labels, where incomplete words represent the ongoing journey to create increasingly impressive wines each vintage. For instance, his Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOGC 2019 label includes only “Ama,” suggesting there’s still room for improvement to earn the remaining (“rone”) letters. Gaspari’s dedication to perfection, honed over decades of crafting some of the world’s most sought-after wines, is evident.
After tasting the 2019 Amarone, alongside previous vintages and wines from Quintarelli, it’s clear that the 2019 Amarone already deserves more of those letters. Its complexity and harmony make it a rare, flawless wine that is well on its way to perfection. However, Gaspari’s pursuit of excellence means he will likely continue pushing the boundaries, showcasing the true potential of Valpolicella wines.
Zýmē 2019 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG – A blend of corvina 40%, corvinone 30%, rondinella 15%, oseleta 10%, and croatina 5%, all dried for 3+ months then fermented for another 2+ months with native yeast before a long (5+ years) rest in large Slovenian oak. When tasted in February 2024, a barrel sample, the wine had not yet been bottled but would soon be with an anticipated 2025 release date after a minimum 1 year in bottle. Medium ruby with a slight garnet hue, the nose shows a complex bouquet of dried red fruit, spice, sweet tobacco, match stick, and balsamic evergreen notes. The palate revels the mastery of this assemblage of appassimento grapes, with layers upon layers of elegantly textured dried fruit, sweet spice, so deep, fresh and harmonious.
Although not yet deemed ready for release, it’s showing beautifully now with great balance and depth. 2019 was a 5-star vintage and this Zýmē Amarone showcases what was possible. With 3+ decades of aging potential, this wine will be outstanding when paired with braised dishes, Risotto All’Amarone, firm cheese, or simply on its own. Enjoy 2025 to 2050+
2019 San Cassiano Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – Deep ruby colour, expressive nose with dark plum, black cherry, currant, incense, cinnamon, rosemary, and graphite. Palate highlights the sweet baking spices, with close, orange preserve, chocolate, and all in a velvety smooth texture. Showing great now, enjoy 2024-2034.
Tenuta Santa Maria Valverde Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2019 (barrel sample, expected market release in 2029) – this small boutique winery produces 4000 individually numbered bottles of Amarone each vintage. Grapes are sourced from their high-altitude vineyards in the Classico region, at 500m elevation making them some of the highest in all of Valpolicella. Ruby with a garnet hue, this is an exceptionally expressive and well structured wine. The nose shows dried dark fruit, spice, balsamic and herbal notes. The palate reveals layers of dark fruit, savoury and meaty characteristics, it’s fresh and textured with youthful albeit integrated tannins which the winemaker envisions all reaching the right level of integration in 5 years for a 2029 planned release. A stunning expression of Cru Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, structured for long-term bottle aging. Enjoy 2029-2050+.
2019 Vigna ‘800 Virgo Moron Classico Riserva (2025 expected release) – Fresh and elegant, this Classico Riserva greets you with inviting dried red and dark fruit, sweet spices, balsamic, and leather. Beautifully balanced, great intensity of flavours, youthful tannins, complex with great length on the finish. Another Amarone that consistently impresses with each vintage. Enjoy 2028 – 2040+.
2019 Falezze di Luca Anselmi – Amarone della Valpolciella DOCG Riserva – Ruby red, inky, complex herbal and dried fruit bouquet with sweet pipe tobacco. The palate brings crunchy dark fruit, dried red fruit, very elegant with youthful tannins. Best vintage I’ve tasted from Luca Anselmi. Enjoy 2028-2040+.
2019 Albino Armani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG – Albino Armani’s winery is located in Marano di Valpolicella, with vineyards reaching 500m in elevation. Armani’s high altitude terraced vineyards and the cool mountain breezes that work their way through those vineyards, help to produce the fresh and elegant style of high altitude Amarone which Armani is known for. The nose on the 2019 Amarone shows dried raspberry, cherry, fig, choclate adn nutmeg. Very fresh and elegant, with sour cherry, speice and fine integrated tannins making this a wonderful wine to enjoy now and over the next 10-15 years with a wide range of dishes from braised, BBQ, pasta, or aged cheese.
2019 FlaTio Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (barrel sample, planned release 2026) – Medium ruby with a slight garnet hue. Gorgeous bouquet with great complexity, dried cherry, floral, tobacco, sweet incense. Palata brings dried red fruit, cherry, spice. Impressive balance, round with fine textured tannins. When released in 2026 this will be exceptionally harmonious. Enjoy 2026-2040+.
2019 Ca’ La Bionda Classico Ravazzol (expected release 2025) – Very fresh and expressive, the style winemaker Alessandro Castellani delivers with his terroir-focused wines. After spending some time in their vineyards and tasting a representative sample of vintages from the past two decades, I’m impressed with what I’m seeing in their vineyards and wines and the over-arching focus on quality and elegance.
Ca’ La Bionda’s winemaker Alessandro Castellani in their estate vineyards.
Ca’ La Bionda’s organic terraced vineyards are situated in the Marano Valley of the Classico region of Valpolicella, and since 2015 they’ve been picking a couple weeks earlier to ensure the retention of that bright acidity in their wines. Alessandro is committed to producing terroir-focused wines with great freshness, complexity, and drinkability. 2019 Ravazzol is exceptionally elegant. The nose shows sour cherry, plum, dried red fruit, balsamic and spice notes. Fresh with fine textured tannins, this is an Amarone you’ll want to enjoy with charcuterie, creamy mushroom risotto, roasted pork or lamb with a cherry chutney. Enjoy when released in 2025 and over the next two plus decades.
2019 Adalia Ruvaln Azienda Agricola Camerani Marinella – This wine, named after the two spot lady bug (Adalia Bipunctata), recognizes the important role nature plays in the vineyards, like the important role biodynamic Valpolicella winemaking pioneer, Marinella Camerani, has played in crafting premium Valpolicella wines following the biodynamic tenants which guide in the production of the grapes/wines for Adalia and the family’s Corte Sant’Alda winery.
Great herbal notes, balasamic, incense, dried cherry, and salty sea breeze. The palate reveals layers of dried fruit, cherry, herbs and baking spices. Youthful tannins with a harmonious structure, leaving a long velvety finish. Enjoy over the next two decades with braised dishes or charcoal grilled steaks.
2019 Tenute Ca ‘Botta Cajo Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (expected release in 2026) – Deep colour, the nose shows smoky dark fruits, baking spice, balsamic, sage, and incense. The palate is rich and concentrated producing a big Amarone that’s embracing its muscular structure with layers of refreshing dark and dried fruits and youthful tannins. Structured for long term aging, this will be a great one to enjoy in 5+ years and through 2045. If you’re looking for a hearty Amarone then check this out when released in 2026.
2019 Costa Arente Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – Ruby with a slight garnet hue, the nose showed brandied cherries, plum, fragrant sweet spices, tobacco, and herbs. The palate is fresh and lively with impressive complexity, all showing great now making this a pop-n-pour Amarone to enjoy now and over the next decade.
2019 Vigneti di Ettore Amarone della Valpolicella Classico – Winemaker Gabriele Righetti has been producing elegant Valpolicella wines from their family vineyards since he took over the reins in 2012. The family’s vineyards are located in the Classico region of Valpolicella in the Negrar Valley from 190m to 450m elevation. Gabrielle is producing such harmonious wines leveraging the characteristics from each of the vineyards which range in soil composition from clay to limestone and paleovulcanic rock. Blending to highlight the strengths and characteristics from each vineyard, the 2019 Amarone could be described in one word as ‘harmonious’ but that wouldn’t pay tribute to the dried red fruit, herbs, balsamic notes, baking spices, cinnamon, and cacao. The palate is expressive, highly textured, yet with a delicate finesse that showcases its elegance. This has potential to be the best Gabriele has produced yet, although his vintages from earlier that decade are showing beautifully now with a decade of age. Enjoy the 2019 in a few years and over a couple decades (2026-2036+).
Winemaker Noemi from Le Guaite di Noemi, at her winery located in the Mezzane Valley of Valpolicella, just east of Verona.
2019 Le Guaite di Neomi (barrel sample, anticipated release 2034) – Deep colour, expressive medley of dried red and dark fruits, with currants, sweet spices, fragrant rosemary, and balsamic resinous notes on the nose. The palate is vibrant with lots of spice, youthful tannins, the fruit is there just slightly hidden waiting to reveal its wonder in the years to come, and no rush as winemaker Neomi plans to keep this in barrel for several more years, only to be released in upwards of a decade (~2034). Structured for long term enjoyment, this five star vintage Amarone is certain to be another masterpiece from this talented family winery. Enjoy 2034-2050+.
2019 Sartori Reius Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG – Ruby red, the nose shows dried cherry, plum, tobacco, and fragrant herbs. The palate is fresh and lively with plum, cherry, and sweet spice all beautifully integrated, ready to enjoy now and over the next decade+. Another terrific vintage, one of the best I’ve tasted this decade.
2019 Terre di Leone Il Re Pazzo Classico (barrel) – Ruby red, the nose brings a complex bouquet showing dried cherry, raspberry, menthol and balsamic evergreen notes with sweet spice. Lovely Classico expression – great freshness and beautifully balanced with fine textured tannins and refreshing cherry and spice persisting on the finish. Enjoy over the next two decades.
2019 Monte Zovo – Famiglia Cottini – Ruby with slight garnet hue, very approachable with dried dark fruit, sweet spices. Palate shows tangy cherry, dried fruit, and subtle earthiness. Enjoy over the next decade.
Matt Steeves is a Canadian Wine Writer, On-Air Sommelier (TV, radio), Valpolicella Wine Specialist, and former Director with the National Capital Sommelier Guild – follow Matt on Instagram @Quercusvino & www.quercusvino.ca & www.topwines.ca
