Amarone della Valpolicella Centenero (2019)
SommeliAI Insights
A rich, full-bodied red wine with flavors of dried cherries, dark chocolate, and spices.
About this wine
The 2019 Centenero Amarone della Valpolicella offers a deep ruby color and a complex bouquet of baked cherries, blueberry pie, Alpine herbs, and chocolate mocha cream. On the palate, it delivers a full-bodied experience with flavors of baked cherries, chocolate powder, candied herbs, fig syrup, and pipe tobacco, supported by firm, well-integrated tannins. This wine is crafted using the traditional appassimento method, where grapes are air-dried for several months to concentrate their sugars and flavors, resulting in a higher alcohol content and a rich, complex profile. Amarone wines are known for their longevity, often aging gracefully for decades, and this vintage is no exception. The Centenero Amarone della Valpolicella is a benchmark example of the style, showcasing the depth and intensity characteristic of this renowned Italian wine.
About the grape
Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara are traditional grape varieties from Italy's Valpolicella region, each contributing uniquely to wines like the 2019 Centenero Amarone della Valpolicella. Corvina, often considered the backbone of these blends, imparts rich cherry flavors and structure, and its thick skins make it ideal for the drying process used in Amarone production. Rondinella, a direct offspring of Corvina, is valued for its high sugar content and resistance to disease, adding floral notes and enhancing the wine's aroma. Molinara, though less commonly used today, was traditionally included for its high acidity, bringing freshness and balance to the blend.
Quick facts
- 🍷 The name 'Amarone' means 'Great Bitter' in Italian, distinguishing it from the sweeter Recioto wine produced in the same region.
- 🍇 Amarone is crafted using the 'appassimento' process, where grapes are dried for several months, concentrating their sugars and flavors.
- 🏅 The 2019 Centenero Amarone della Valpolicella received a gold medal and a 94-point rating from Tastings.com, highlighting its exceptional quality.
- 🔥 Amarone wines are known for their high alcohol content, often exceeding 15%, due to the concentrated sugars from the dried grapes.
- 🏞️ The Valpolicella region, where Amarone is produced, is renowned for its rolling hills and ideal grape-growing conditions, contributing to the wine's unique character.
Palate profile
Producer
Cielo e Terra, established in 1908, is a collaboration between the Cielo family, with over a century of winemaking experience in Veneto and Puglia, and the Cantina Sociale Colli Berici. This partnership leverages the Colli Berici's vineyard resources and the Cielo family's winemaking expertise to produce wines that offer exceptional value from both indigenous and international grape varieties. The winery emphasizes sustainable cultivation practices, including soil analysis and tailored nutritional assessments for each vine. Modern temperature-controlled fermentation techniques are employed to preserve the fresh fruit flavors of the grapes in their wines.
