Amarone della Valpolicella Il Costolo (2017)

About this wine

Vallena's 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Il Costolo is a deep ruby red wine with pronounced aromas of dried cranberries, cherries, and figs, complemented by hints of aromatic herbs. On the palate, it offers flavors of cinnamon, pepper, tobacco, and potpourri, creating a complex and layered experience. The wine finishes long, with youthful, chewy yet polished tannins. Produced from handpicked Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella grapes that are dried before fermentation, this Amarone is aged for two years in barriques and two years in large Slavonian oak barrels, contributing to its depth and character. With an alcohol content of 16.5%, it showcases the traditional winemaking techniques of the Valpolicella region.

About the grape

Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella are indigenous grape varieties from Italy's Veneto region, each playing a vital role in crafting Amarone della Valpolicella wines. Corvina, often considered the backbone of these blends, contributes vibrant cherry flavors and a robust structure, thanks to its thick skins that are ideal for the drying process known as appassimento. Corvinone, once thought to be a clone of Corvina but now recognized as a distinct variety, offers larger berries with thicker skins, adding depth and tannic complexity to the wine. Rondinella, known for its resilience and consistent yields, imparts floral and herbal notes, enhancing the aromatic profile of the blend. Together, these grapes undergo the appassimento process, where they are partially dried to concentrate sugars and flavors, resulting in the rich and full-bodied character typical of Amarone wines.

Quick facts

• 🍷 The name 'Amarone' means 'Great Bitter' in Italian, distinguishing it from the sweeter Recioto wine produced in the same region.
• 🏞️ The 'Il Costolo' vineyard is a unique 1-hectare plot located at 250 meters above sea level, featuring a south-westerly exposure that contributes to the wine's distinctive character.
• 🍾 The 2017 vintage of Vallena's Amarone 'Il Costolo' was produced in limited quantities, with approximately 3,000 bottles released.
• 🛢️ The wine undergoes a meticulous aging process, spending two years in barriques followed by two years in 25-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels, enhancing its complexity and depth.
• ⛰️ The 'Il Costolo' vineyard is situated in a collapsed sinkhole, providing a unique terroir with flourishing rock soil that imparts distinctive mineral qualities to the wine.

Palate profile

Producer

Vallena is a historic winery located in the Valpolicella region of Italy, with roots tracing back to 1832. The estate's name, 'Vallena,' is a local colloquialism for 'Villa Lena,' a designation that doesn't appear on official maps. After a period of agricultural diversification during the world wars, the winery returned to viticulture in the 1960s, planting its first vineyard in 1969. Notably, Vallena produced its first Amarone della Valpolicella in 2010, followed by the special 'Il Costolo' cru in 2012. The winery's vineyards are uniquely positioned as the first on the hills north of Verona, offering a distinctive terroir for their wines.