{"title":"Valpolicella","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"dal-forno-romano-amarone-della-valpolicella-monte-lodoletta-2015","title":"Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta 2015","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe ultimate statement wine from northern Italy is the 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta. The Dal Forno family skipped over the 2014 vintage, and this sunny vintage is worth the wait. Monte Lodoletta is always incredibly high in terms of fruit weight and tannins, but this edition from 2015 appears more integrated in terms of concentration and softer in terms of structure; it's not that the wine is more accessible. It will hold the line for years and decades to come and promises to age gracefully. This vintage is instead more fleshed out and open-knit. The bouquet peels back with thick layers of black fruit, spice, campfire embers and toasted coffee bean. It's an expensive bottle for collectors, but you get lots of bang for your buck. - Monica Larner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Romano Dal Forno","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42820481056931,"sku":"RDFAMA15B","price":488.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/products\/DFB40158-2730-447B-966C-56D35AA753DC.jpg?v=1665708176"},{"product_id":"dal-forno-romano-amarone-della-valpolicella-monte-lodoletta-2009","title":"Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta 2009","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"tasting-note-content\"\u003eThe Dal Forno family considered the idea of releasing their Amarone ten years after the harvest. If that plan had been implemented, this would be the vintage on the market now. The 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is a full and generous expression that delivers thick lines and robust flavors of dried blackberry, camphor ash, exotic cedar wood, licorice and tarry road pavement. This vintage saw average temperatures throughout the growing season with a few hailstorms along the way. Very dry weather led to some mild drought in July and August, with ensuing ripening and concentration of the clusters. I found this monumental wine to be irresistible when I first tasted it five years ago, and I consider it to have improved since then. This is one of the most complete and comprehensive vintages produced at Dal Forno, and it gives us an ample 360-degree view onto the might, brawn and potential of this icon wine from the Veneto. Its evolutionary track shows no sign of slowing down. - Monica Larner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Romano Dal Forno","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42820497899683,"sku":"RDFAMA09B","price":495.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/products\/86E18E1B-194D-4313-90B9-98B2DA132F03.jpg?v=1665708167"},{"product_id":"dal-forno-romano-amarone-della-valpolicella-monte-lodoletta-2010","title":"Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta 2010","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, September 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"tasting-note-content\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis was an excellent vintage in much of Italy, but unfortunately the weather was not as pleasant in this specific area of the Valpolicella. The season saw a lot of rain, and a good amount of fruit was cut and left on the ground because it could not be used. Considering these difficulties, Michele Dal Forno tells me he is \"more than happy with the results.\" I tasted the 2010 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta next to the 2009 vintage, and having these two wines side by side reinforces just how different they are. The 2010 vintages is sharper, more pointed and direct in comparison, and there is a tiny point of sourness on the close. This wine does not reach the same threshold for fullness, density or richness. It does come close. The wine's residual sugar measures between 5 and 6 grams per liter, which is normal for this wine, and the bouquet is redolent of familiar black fruit, raisin and spice. However, the wine feels a bit stuck in its tracks at the moment and is evidently experiencing a shy phase in its evolution. It has retreated. \u003c\/span\u003e- Monica Larner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Romano Dal Forno","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42820498489507,"sku":"RDFAMA10B","price":455.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/products\/86E18E1B-194D-4313-90B9-98B2DA132F03_277c2333-a956-45a0-8929-29a78303a15b.jpg?v=1665708171"},{"product_id":"dal-forno-romano-amarone-della-valpolicella-monte-lodoletta-2008","title":"Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta 2008","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, September 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"tasting-note-content\"\u003eProduction was skipped over in 2007 due to extreme hail damage. The fruit that would normally be destined to Amarone went to the lower tier Valpolicella Superiore instead. The 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta marks a return to a slightly cooler vintage with a longer growing season slowed down during the summer's moderate temperatures. Indeed, harvest was wrapped up during the first days of November. The blend is mostly Corvina, at about 60%, with smaller parts Corvinone, Rondinella, Croatina and Oseleta. The new Dal Forno winery was finished in 2008, complete with the unique vacuum-sealed fermentation tasks that help to avoid any intrusive oxygen during winemaking. Indeed, this wine is balanced and elegant with fruit that is still crunchy and very much alive. The tannins are firm and nicely integrated into the wine's thick, fleshy consistency. This vintage is characterized by a very elegant and graceful approach, which must be taken into context given the enormity of a wine of this caliber. Happily, there is no doubt that this vintage should still evolve steadily over time. - Monica Larner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Romano Dal Forno","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42820498915491,"sku":"RDFAMA08B","price":443.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/products\/86E18E1B-194D-4313-90B9-98B2DA132F03_f4f25a48-23d4-49f5-9c08-770979a90f83.jpg?v=1665708162"},{"product_id":"dal-forno-romano-amarone-della-valpolicella-monte-lodoletta-2006","title":"Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta 2006","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97+ points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, September 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"tasting-note-content\"\u003eBack in 2006, this estate farmed approximately 25 hectares of vines, and the Valpolicella was just beginning to feel its new celebrity status, thanks to a new generation of vintners (to come after Quintarelli and Dal Forno) showing impressive results. The 2006 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta was born in a vintage that was not easy: It saw hail and above-average rainfall for much of the growing season. This expression opens to an inky dark appearance and heavy aromas of dried fruit, pressed blackberries and sun-dried prunes. There is a slightly sweeter side to this vintage (the residual sugar is up to ten grams per liter), and the mouthfeel offers enormous volume and richness. You get some jammy and raisiny fruit at the back. Like the 1990 vintage also tastes in this retrospective, this bottle from the 2006 vintage was slow to open and felt a bit closed initially. In fact, I gave it 94 points at that time. However, I recently opened a bottle of this same wine that I had in my cellar, and it was just stunning. It showed none of the shyness that I described above. Inspired by that second magical bottle, I went back and adjusted the drinking window and my score to the one you see here. - Monica Larner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Romano Dal Forno","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42820502356131,"sku":"RDFAMA06B","price":388.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/products\/86E18E1B-194D-4313-90B9-98B2DA132F03_18c86a94-5134-46f7-b3d5-f4725c638558.jpg?v=1665708158"},{"product_id":"dal-forno-romano-valpolicella-superiore-monte-lodoletta-2015","title":"Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta 2015","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94+ points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"tasting-note-content\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe 2015 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is a towering wine that shows impeccable concentration, richness and tight balance. Between Romano and his sons, the Dal Forno family has amassed many years of experimentation and expertise, and they know exactly how to farm in a hot vintage like 2015 without compromising on freshness and structure. This wine opens to deep layers of black fruit, spice, smoky mesquite and campfire ash. It shows big tannic structure that comes with lots of fruit weight and textural padding. But no matter, this is a wine you'll want to put aside before drinking. \u003c\/span\u003e- Monica Larner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Romano Dal Forno","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42820505305251,"sku":"RDFVAL15B","price":303.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/products\/86E18E1B-194D-4313-90B9-98B2DA132F03_eac0cb77-3d1a-4f74-8f23-d80094abced1.jpg?v=1665708180"},{"product_id":"quintarelli-valpolicella-classico-superiore-2015","title":"Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2015","description":"\u003cp\u003e(not yet reviewed, 2014 review for reference)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e93+ points - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2021\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was a humid and rainy vintage and many producers in the Valpolicella decided not to make their top-shelf Amarone wines, directing their fruit to wines like this instead. The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2014 Valpolicella Classico Superiore offers a spicy opener with tarry smoke and cured tobacco. It also shows some tart and brambly fruit, and this ties into what we can expect of the vintage. In truth, the ripeness is present and balanced. It undergoes a partial and brief appassimento. The 2014 is thinner than past vintages have been, but I am very much enjoying this more streamlined and elegant approach. - Monica Larner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"tasting-note-content\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Quintarelli","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42869404991651,"sku":"QUIVCS15B","price":126.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/products\/image_ef572b52-51f2-437c-913b-f53a95a35231.jpg?v=1665713816"},{"product_id":"quintarelli-valpolicella-classico-superiore-2016","title":"Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2016","description":"\u003cp\u003e(not yet reviewed, 2014 review for reference)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e93+ points - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2021\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was a humid and rainy vintage and many producers in the Valpolicella decided not to make their top-shelf Amarone wines, directing their fruit to wines like this instead. The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2014 Valpolicella Classico Superiore offers a spicy opener with tarry smoke and cured tobacco. It also shows some tart and brambly fruit, and this ties into what we can expect of the vintage. In truth, the ripeness is present and balanced. It undergoes a partial and brief appassimento. The 2014 is thinner than past vintages have been, but I am very much enjoying this more streamlined and elegant approach. - Monica Larner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"tasting-note-content\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Quintarelli","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43601768906915,"sku":"QUIVCS16B","price":162.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/files\/image_6d1cf98e-32c0-406d-8c84-667af4fe8098.jpg?v=1696807000"},{"product_id":"dal-forno-romano-valpolicella-superiore-monte-lodoletta-2017","title":"Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e(not yet reviewed, 2015 review for reference)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94+ points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"tasting-note-content\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe 2015 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is a towering wine that shows impeccable concentration, richness and tight balance. Between Romano and his sons, the Dal Forno family has amassed many years of experimentation and expertise, and they know exactly how to farm in a hot vintage like 2015 without compromising on freshness and structure. This wine opens to deep layers of black fruit, spice, smoky mesquite and campfire ash. It shows big tannic structure that comes with lots of fruit weight and textural padding. But no matter, this is a wine you'll want to put aside before drinking. \u003c\/span\u003e- Monica Larner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Romano Dal Forno","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44165590188195,"sku":"RDFVAL17B","price":347.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/files\/86E18E1B-194D-4313-90B9-98B2DA132F03_eac0cb77-3d1a-4f74-8f23-d80094abced1.jpg?v=1711038787"},{"product_id":"bertani-amarone-della-valpolicella-classico-2015","title":"Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e93 points - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2021\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mnmd-review__summary\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva is a long, polished and flowing wine that offers lots of aromatic detail. At first, it shows plenty of ripe blackberry and Morello cherry, with the baked aromas you can expect of a hot and sunny vintage such as 2015. Then, you get toasted spice, tar and licorice. In terms of Amarone, which is almost always an exceedingly full-bodied wine, this expression is slightly more slender and accessible. It has plenty of power though, with 16% alcohol, which is contained within the solid frame of this northern Italian red. The blend is 75% Corvina, 15% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella. Production is 12,000 bottles. \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e- Monica Larner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bertani","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45434735886499,"sku":"BERADV15B","price":149.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/products\/ifhdsaihfgoisudahfpoiduhfgifusdhfd77q_8c0f9127-2955-40f5-8948-1328349c8b90.png?v=1665705805"},{"product_id":"bertani-amarone-della-valpolicella-classico-2016","title":"Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2016","description":"\u003cp\u003e(not yet reviewed, 2009 review for reference)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e96 points - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2021\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"tasting-note-content\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHere's a true beauty from the land of pink marble, majestic mountains and the romantic Shakespearean drama Romeo and Juliet. The Bertani 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is elegantly composed and beautifully softened by time in the barrel and bottle. The bouquet is quite spectacular with dried plums and baked currants, followed closely by sweet tar, leather and smoky tar. The wine shows lots of appassimento purity, and you taste that distinctive intensity that comes from wines made with air-dried fruit. The wine is thick, syrupy and viscous, wrapping generously over the palate. This is a very special bottle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"tasting-note-content\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e - Monica Larner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bertani","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46527257313443,"sku":"BERADV16B","price":149.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/products\/ifhdsaihfgoisudahfpoiduhfgifusdhfd77q_8c0f9127-2955-40f5-8948-1328349c8b90.png?v=1665705805"},{"product_id":"dal-forno-romano-valpolicella-superiore-monte-lodoletta-2017-copy","title":"Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e(not yet reviewed, 2016 review for reference)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2024\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-xs-12 col-md-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAged in oak for 24 months, the Dal Forno Romano 2016 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is an elegantly polished and balanced wine. However, this quality did come at a steep price. A hail storm on May 18th, 2015, damaged 90% of the leaves in the vineyard. The plants therefore used all the energy they had in reserve, and the 2016 vintage started off with difficulty. By June, they were struggling, resulting in lower yields but excellent quality. In fact, the estate released the 2017 vintage before the 2016, allowing for more bottle time. - Monica Larner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Romano Dal Forno","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46643000311971,"sku":"RDFVAL18B","price":134.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0412\/5330\/6531\/files\/86E18E1B-194D-4313-90B9-98B2DA132F03_eac0cb77-3d1a-4f74-8f23-d80094abced1.jpg?v=1711038787"}],"url":"https:\/\/winesofkings.com\/collections\/valpolicella.oembed","provider":"Wines of Kings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}