Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella 2017

Dal Forno Romano is a winery deeply rooted in family history and a strong connection to the land. With four generations of ownership, the Dal Forno family has upheld a tradition of winemaking that spans three generations. The Dal Forno family has been involved in winemaking since 1983. Situated in Val D'Illasi, the estate encompasses 65 acres of vineyards planted with traditional local grape varieties, including Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, and Croatina. The vineyards and farm are positioned at the base of the mountains, sitting at an elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level. The fertile, loose, alluvial soils, along with meticulous pruning and careful viticultural practices, contribute to the production of high-quality grapes. The Dal Fornos employ a combination of traditional and modern techniques in their winemaking process, resulting in wines that are both classic and pure in style and expression.

The Romano Dal Forno estate is situated in Val D'Illasi, a valley east of Verona. This valley, like many others, cuts through the Lessini hills that extend to the northern side of the city. The valley originates in the Mount Carega area at the northern end of the Lessini and runs north-south, providing a natural pathway to Carega. As the valley progresses, it widens in the plane and gradually narrows, becoming almost alpine from Selva di Progno onwards. The estate is located halfway up the valley, where the slopes begin to rise towards the mountains. Despite this, the valley remains wide and receives ample sunlight. While the southern areas of the valley focus on cereal and forage production for livestock, the Romano Dal Forno estate has a long-standing tradition of producing wine and olive oil, thanks in part to its altitude of 290 meters (950 feet) above sea level.

Amarone della Valpolicella is a red wine produced in the Valpolicella region, in the Veneto region, just north of the city of Verona. It is made using a process called appassimento, where the grapes are dried for several months before fermentation. This process concentrates the flavors and sugars in the grapes, resulting in a rich and intense wine. Amarone della Valpolicella is known for its complex aromas of dried fruits, dark berries and spices. It is a wine with a strong structure and can be aged for many years.

The Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella 2017 is a wine that demonstrates the vineyard's resilience in a challenging vintage. Despite a lack of rain and low temperatures, the vineyard maintained its health through drip irrigation. While there was a collapse in production due to cold temperatures and a hailstorm, the estate managed to produce a small but high-quality harvest. The wine underwent fermentation in temperature-controlled steel tanks and aged in new barriques for a total of 36 months.

The Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella 2017 is a remarkable expression of the Amarone Valpolicella DOCG appellation. Crafted with sustainable cultivation practices, this wine showcases the dedication of the winery to both quality and environmental stewardship. Fermentation for the Dal Forno Romano Amarone takes place in steel tanks at a controlled temperature of around 28°C. These tanks are equipped with a sophisticated computerized system that allows for automated punching-down over a period of approximately 15 days, including the final two days of maceration. This meticulous process ensures optimal extraction of flavors and tannins from the grape skins. After decanting in mid-January, the Amarone is transferred to new barriques, where it embarks on a very slow fermentation process that continues for an additional 18 months. The total aging period in barriques for the 2017 vintage is an impressive 36 months. This extended aging allows the wine to develop complexity, depth, and a refined character. The Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella 2017 captivates the senses with its enticing aromas and flavors. On the nose, one is greeted with intense notes of kirsch, blackberry paste, dried mint and eucalyptus. These aromas are complemented by hints of smoke, fresh earth, and iron, adding layers of complexity. On the palate, this Amarone reveals a rich streak of minerality, accompanied by fine, sculpted tannins. The concentration and power of the wine are evident, and as it opens up in the glass, it unveils even greater detail and expression. Despite its intensity, the wine maintains a remarkable balance and restraint, showcasing the winemaker's skill in crafting a harmonious and elegant wine.

The malty oak is evident, yet operates as a welcome adjunct to corral and compress the swashbuckle of coffee grinds, beef bouillon, mint, leather varnish and saturated dark cherry liqueur, into a sheath of tension as much as sheer power. This may seem obvious initially, but as one works it out in the glass and across the inner gums, the multitudinous layers become evident. A wine that shape-shifts and beguiles, as much it wrestles with the senses. -  Ned Goodwin MW, James Suckling, 98 Points

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - 60% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Oseleta, 10% Croatina
Country - Italy
Region - Veneto
Vintage - 2017
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 16%