Dal Forno Romano - Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta 2009
Price: $525.00
Sale Price: $439.95
| Producer | Dal Forno Romano |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Veneto |
| Subregion | Valpolicella |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Vintage | 2009 |
| Sku | 09732 |
Dal Forno Romano Description
Amarone differs from Valpolicella for two simple reasons.
The first concerns the duration of the drying process, which in the case of Amarone can be prolonged to three months instead of one and a half months.
The second instead refers to the age of the vines. Our company’s philosophy is that, in order to produce Amarone, only the grapes that are harvested from vines which are older than ten years can be used. The younger vines are therefore only used in the production of Valpolicella.
Not with standing these two differences and other small variations with regards to the percentage of the different grapes used, it can be said that these two wines are almost identical, in the sense that the underlying process of their production and aging are exactly the same.
In saying this, Amarone can be distinguished from its smaller brother by its strength and elegance.
Undoubtedly the complexity of this wine is superior in respect to that of Valpolicella and has its place in the category of wines that are usually defined as “meditation wines”.
Subtle aromatic hints, that range from black cherry, blueberry to chocolate, anticipate the opulent expression of mature fruit that flows into the mouth with inadvertent persistence. Nuances of truffle, tobacco and new leather wrap around the finish.
It is a wine with undiscovered potential, but whose depth leaves one hoping that it has a very long development ahead of it.
Made with Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta, Croatina grapes.
Wine Advocate: 99 Points
The Dal Forno family considered the idea of releasing their Amarone ten years after the harvest. If that plan had been implemented, this would be the vintage on the market now. The 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is a full and generous expression that delivers thick lines and robust flavors of dried blackberry, camphor ash, exotic cedar wood, licorice and tarry road pavement. This vintage saw average temperatures throughout the growing season with a few hailstorms along the way. Very dry weather led to some mild drought in July and August, with ensuing ripening and concentration of the clusters. I found this monumental wine to be irresistible when I first tasted it five years ago, and I consider it to have improved since then. This is one of the most complete and comprehensive vintages produced at Dal Forno, and it gives us an ample 360-degree view onto the might, brawn and potential of this icon wine from the Veneto. Its evolutionary track shows no sign of slowing down.
Vinous Media: 95 Points
The 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella is one of the most sexy, open-knit young Dal Forno Amarones I can remember tasting. An enticing mélange of mocha, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate and leather captivates the senses. Incredibly open today, the 2009 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring or aged for twenty years, perhaps beyond. Although the 2009 doesn't quite reach the heights of the truly epic vintages here, it comes very close and will provide considerable pleasure sooner than many of those wines. I don't think I have ever tasted a young Dal Forno Amarone with this much allure.
Wine Spectator: 94 Points
Rich, with aromatic herb and tarry smoke notes, this silky, supple red is framed by mouthwatering acidity and dusty tannins. Shows ripe and concentrated flavors of date, sun-dried cherry, forest floor and ground spice, displaying a sense of harmony and density that suggests a long future. The finish echoes the spice and sweet fruit character.
