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Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta 2011 1.5Ltr
Case of 1
OUT OF STOCKPre-arrival
1.5Ltr
Sample image only.Please see Item description for product Information. When ordering, the item shipped will match the product listing if there are any discrepancies. Do not order solely on the label if you feel it does not match product description.
SKU 1042753
Out of stock
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Marco Dal Forno was kind enough to send me this back vintage from one of the first years to show the “abnormal” heat patterns that we associate with climate change today. I remember the hot winds from North Africa that blew across Italy during the scorching summer of 2011. The Dal Forno Romano 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is 20 steps beyond the most extracted wine you have ever tasted. Its 17% alcohol content is daunting and extreme, as is the wine’s concentration. It shows bitter tannins with hints of tree bark and all kinds of Christmas spice. You’ll notice a drop in score from my last tastings of this vintage (down from 97 given in 2019 and 96 awarded in 2017). That difference reflects my changing tastes and personal evolution. I find the wine to be intellectually fascinating, and I recognize the precision behind its realization. But I am hard-pressed to imagine a scenario in which I could pair a wine like this with the lighter fare I enjoy today. When gauging its aging potential—which is the true point of this tasting—I can confirm that the tannins have gone a long way to become more approachable. But still, this is one massive red wine that is not yet resolved. Production was 22,000 bottles.
Corvina grapes are most commonly associated with the Veneto region of Italy, where they have been grown successfully for centuries, and are a vital component of the region's viticultural identity. The Corvina varietal is famed around the world for its inclusion in such fine wines as Amarone and Valpolicella, where it is blended with small quantities of other grape varietals to produce wines of exceptional character and balance. The grapes themselves have a naturally high level of acidity, which often results in an aftertaste of bitter almonds. However, this bitterness is quite a sought for feature of this varietal, as it balances beautifully with the sour cherry notes also associated with the grape. Corvina grapes have a wonderfully potential for aging, and this process mellows the bitterness and acids present in the fruit, resulting in soft, complex and highly admired wines.
Country
Italy
There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.
Region
Veneto
As historically one of the most important regions in the world regarding trade and experimentation, it comes as no surprise to discover that Veneto has always been a well respected and innovative wine region. This area of north-easterly area of Italy benefits greatly from a continental climate tempered by the Alps, and plenty of influence from the Germanic countries it is near to. Veneto is most commonly associated with beautifully elegant white wines, such as those of Soave, and has over ninety thousand hectares under vine. Impressively, within that area, over a third of the vineyards in the Veneto region have been granted official AOC status, and many of the sub-regions and appellations of Veneto have gone on to be world-famous in regards to quality. One such example is Valpolicella, where some of Italy's finest and most complex red wines are produced.
Appellation
Valpolicella
Valpolicella is a renowned wine appellation located in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy, known for producing a variety of red wines. The appellation’s most famous wine is Amarone della Valpolicella, a rich, full-bodied wine made from partially dried grapes. The region’s winemaking tradition dates back centuries, and its wines are crafted primarily from native grape varieties like Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. Valpolicella wines are known for their versatility, offering a range of styles from light and fruity to bold and complex. The standard Valpolicella is typically fresh, with bright cherry and red fruit flavors, while Valpolicella Ripasso undergoes a secondary fermentation, adding body and depth. Amarone is characterized by its concentrated flavors of dried fruit, spice, and chocolate, thanks to the appassimento drying process. Valpolicella wines pair well with a variety of foods, from pasta to hearty meats, making them a popular choice among wine lovers.
WA94pts
Wine Advocate
Marco Dal Forno was kind enough to send me this back vintage from one of the first years to show the "abnormal" heat patterns that we associate with climate change today. I remember the hot winds from North Africa that blew across Italy during the scorching summer of 2011. The Dal Forno Romano 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is 20 steps beyond the most extracted wine you have ever tasted. Its 17% alcohol content is daunting and extreme, as is the wine's concentration. It shows bitter tannins with hints of tree bark and all kinds of Christmas spice. You'll notice a drop in score from my last tastings of this vintage (down from 97 given in 2019 and 96 awarded in 2017). That difference reflects my changing tastes and personal evolution. I find the wine to be intellectually fascinating, and I recognize the precision behind its realization. But I am hard-pressed to imagine a scenario in which I could pair a wine like this with the lighter fare I enjoy today. When gauging its aging potential—which is the true point of this tasting—I can confirm that the tannins have gone a long way to become more approachable. But still, this is one massive red wine that is not yet resolved. Production was 22,000 bottles.
1.5Ltr
