3 | Wine | Veneto, 91 or higher

"Ripe, sweet fruit flavors of damson plum and black cherry mix with lively acidity and accents of date, spice box, mineral and fresh earth, while layered tannins add muscle to this elegant red."

"Deep purple-tinged ruby. Grapey, deep aromas of stewed plum, raisin, date and cocoa explode from the glass. Rich, smooth and very dense, with wonderfully tactile flavors similar to the aromas. This very pure Amarone finishes creamy-sweet but fresh, thanks to sound acidity. An extremely successful entry-level Amarone made from grapes that were air-dried for roughly four months."

"The 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella is one of the most monumental young wines I have ever tasted. This is an especially silky, elegant Amarone from Dal Forno that avoids the heaviness of some previous vintages. Blackberry jam, crushed rocks, minerals, violets, new leather and bittersweet chocolate are some of the nuances that emerge over time. This is every bit as majestic as it was every time I tasted it from barrel over the last few years. The silky, exceptionally polished tannins make the 2004 approachable today, but the wine will be even better in a few years."

"The 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is flat-out gorgeous. The 2004 is a superb, elegant Amarone graced with expressive dark red fruit, flowers, tobacco and spices, all supported by finessed, silky tannins. Sweet roses, tar and licorice are woven into the layered, sublime finish. Deceptively medium in body, the 2004 has the stuffing to age well for decades. This is a terrific showing from Bertani."

"The 2007 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico boasts fabulous intensity and richness. This is an especially heady, port-like Amarone imbued with tons of depth. Chocolate, black cherries, leather and spices wrap around the serious, palate-staining finish. The 2007 needs quite a bit of time, but it is hugely promising. Readers who appreciate a big, powerful style of Amarone will love Zenato’s 2007."

"A big, burly red, with lots of charred oak and smoky bacon character coloring the rich, ripe crushed berry fruit. Hints of flowers and black cardamom add to the complexity. Full-bodied, with well-poised, velvety tannins that capture the flavors and drive them through the long finish. Needs cellaring, but this is fabulous now too."

"Ripe, sweet fruit flavors of damson plum and black cherry mix with lively acidity and accents of date, spice box, mineral and fresh earth, while layered tannins add muscle to this elegant red."

"A ripe, velvety red, with a fine frame of supple tannins, displaying flavors of prune, kirsch, bitter herbs and loamy earth, with just a hint of savory-sweet sun-dried tomato. There's a subtle juiciness, with a sweet, smoky note that builds toward the long finish."

"The 2003 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a big, enveloping wine loaded with wild cherries, licorice, new leather and dried flowers, not to mention considerable personality. The tannins are just a touch rough around the edges, and I am not sure they will ever soften given the heat of the vintage, but the 2003 should continue to drink well for at least a handful of years. Ideally the wine is best paired with hearty dishes."