Amarone 2015 in the glass: what to expect from the most successful vintage of the last 30 years

Valpolicella is in the middle of a golden age. In addition to the input of energy, innovation, and sensitivity that the new generations are introducing into the system, there is the climate-friendly hand, which has given the wine production sector in 2015 a good basis, on which to build a memorable vintage. A long, warm but not dry season - with little but regular rainfall - has given the plants a good regularity, with healthy and concentrated bunches.
According to Olga Bussinello, director of the Consorzio di Tutela Vini Valpolicella, “with the 2015 Amarone has reached its full elegance and maturity of aromatic style and taste. According to the experts, the year in which this Preview was presented managed to elevate the aromas and flavors of 2013 and others of clear varietal origin, resulting more decisive in persistence and richness, but at the same time enhancing finesse and elegance”.
This state of grace of the grapes, due to a combination of ideal climatic conditions during the harvest year, has continued even afterward inside the drying rooms, where the grapes are dried long and slowly, enriching the composition of the grapes.
“The organoleptic elegance - explains Diego Tomasi, of the Research Centre for Viticulture-Crea of Conegliano - which has united all seventy samples tasted, is given by a strong aromatic complexity supported by a young and tense body. In fact, if the values of the aromatic indicators related to fruit (fresh, ripe, jam) and spices are almost the same as those of 2013, but at higher values, in 2015 the scent values of vegetable (fresh and aromatic herbs) and balsamic (mint, citron) were much more pronounced to characterize and enhance the complexity of the vintage”.

In short, a vintage that not only achieves and exceeds in quality the typical sensory parameters of both 2014 and 2013, but that could be included in the historical vintages of the last 30 years, like 2011, 2001 and 2000, as declared to WineNews by the Dg and oenologist of Cantina di Negrar, Daniele Accordini. Among the 65 wineries present at the tasting (and 68 labels available), here are the 10 best tastings of the editorial staff at Anteprima Amarone 2019 (from 2 to 4 February at the Gran Guardia di Verona):
Le Guaite di Noemi, a sample of wine from the barrel that will become Amarone Della Valpolicella 2015
A Bordeaux in Valpolicella: it seems that Corvina is characterized by a vegetable nobility on basalt-calcareous soils. The result is a pleasantly dry wine, which is enriched with cinnamon, anise, and pepper.
According to Marco, a sample of wine from the barrel that will become Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2015
Color, nose, and mouth delicate, with marked acidity and a bitter aftertaste. Rovi and cherry are the themes of the wine, consistent from beginning to end.
Giovanni Ederle, Amarone della Valpolicella 2015
It’s the medicinal herb that comes up from the glass. In the mouth, the fruit takes over, well balanced by a hint of bitterness. The cherry and rhubarb remain at the end of the sip.
Bertani, Amarone Della Valpolicella Valpantena 2015
A hint of violet and black cherry. The acidic soul keeps warm and peppery vivacity. An elegant Amarone.
Monte del Frà, Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Lena di Mezzo 2015
Plum jam, rhubarb, and a fulfilling balsamic aroma. A spicy Amarone in the mouth, warm, with refreshing tannins.
Roccolo Grassi, Amarone della Valpolicella 2015
Dark, deep but sharp. Fruit and heat that give texture to the sip, closed with the gentle bitterness of rhubarb.
Marinella Camerani, a sample of wine from barrel 57 that will become Amarone Della Valpolicella 2015
Intense purple color with a deep sip of plum, pepper, surprisingly vertical, where tannins and acidity intertwine perfectly.
Collina dei Ciliegi, Amarone della Valpolicella 2015
Licorice, rhubarb and medicinal herbs: in this case the cherry accompanies the nose and reveals itself in the mouth. Together with sweetness and flavor. It’s like eating.
Villa Spinosa, a sample of wine the barrel that will become Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015
A version that is not too hot and with smoky notes stands out this version of Amarone. Leather, gooseberries and vegetal notes, accompanied by a sweet note. The taste is decisive and fragrant.
Fratelli Degani, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico La Rosta 2015

A well-balanced structure with a savory and fresh soul, which also keeps the perception of the alcohol content stable. Notes of peppers and fruit to enrich.