Domini Veneti Vigneti di Jago Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2017

Cellar for up to 14 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. This dark and handsome Amarone is made by Cantina Valpolicella Negrar which was founded in 1933. Initially formed by seven grape growing families the Cantina now has over 200 members and is a key player on the local wine scene. In fact, the first ever Amarone was bottled here in 1939 and the winery continues to produce benchmark examples using traditional techniques alongside cutting-edge technology and expertise. The Domini Veneti label is only given to their finest wines like this example which is crafted from prime vineyards set on the Jago hills in the traditional heartland of Valpolicella. The principal ingredient is Corvina along with a smaller proportion of Corvinone and Rondinella as well as some other local varieties. The grapes are harvested by hand and are left to dry out on mats for up to 120 days to concentrate the sugars and flavours. They are then vinified at the end of the year and aged in French oak barrels for 24 months followed by another 12 months of ageing in the bottle. The first thing you’ll notice is the inky deep red hue and enticing hints of vanilla, cigar box spice, tobacco and rich dried fruits. On the palate there are ample smooth tannins, a firm structure and a very long finish seasoned with intense dark berry and spiced notes.