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Amarone della Valpolicella 2021: balance, precision and a more contemporary voice
Balanced, typical and elegant – these are the defining traits of Amarone della Valpolicella 2021, officially presented at the Gallerie Mercatali in Verona during Amarone Opera Prima, the annual preview organised by the Valpolicella Wine Consortium. Filippo Bartolotta reports.
The 2021 vintage emerges as a clear and coherent snapshot of the appellation, shaped by the Consortium’s traditional tasting panel of winemakers and expert tasters. The wines show a fully integrated sensory profile, particularly on the palate and through the retro-nasal phase, with balance achieved through careful management of the drying process and refined ageing. The result is an Amarone of measured structure and elegance, offering convincing prospects for ageing without excess weight.
The growing season
Climatically, 2021 was a demanding year. A cold early phase with spring frosts was followed by a dry, hot summer. Yet the resilience of the vineyards and the experience of Valpolicella’s growers proved decisive. Healthy, well-balanced grapes of high quality were achieved, once again confirming the strength of the territory even in challenging vintages.
The growing season began late, with budbreak occurring only after the first ten days of April due to below-average temperatures. Budburst was largely homogeneous, with frost damage limited to small, isolated areas. May was rainy and critical for downy mildew management, while flowering—between 5 and 10 June—took place under warm, dry conditions, supported by good water reserves. At this stage, downy mildew remained under control, while powdery mildew required closer attention towards the end of June.
Veraison occurred in mid-August, also delayed, under conditions of scarce rainfall that led to water stress in some vineyards. September was warm and dry, allowing harvest timings to realign with historical norms and ensuring grapes in excellent sanitary condition. Ripening, variable across zones, was generally slower but of high quality, with good aromatic integrity, excellent phenolic maturity and anthocyanin levels higher than in 2020.
In the drying lofts, grapes were closely monitored by zone and variety, both during the initial resting phase and throughout the drying period. A cooler-than-average autumn favoured a slow, regular appassimento, leading to excellent sugar and polyphenolic concentration and the development of aromatic precursors. This laid the groundwork for a gradual transformation in the cellar and for Amarone wines that interpret the vintage with precision, tension and restraint.
A Shared Language: Determination, Patience and Precision
Running parallel to the tasting narrative is another, subtler thread—one defined not by wine itself, but by conviction and determination. It is embodied by three women whose paths intersect at the crossroads of sport, culture and gastronomy: Deborah Compagnoni, Cristina Bowerman and Maddalena Fossati.
Different disciplines, the same discipline
In elite sport, in the kitchen and in cultural journalism, excellence is built through repetition, patience and the ability to wait for the right moment. These are the same values that define Amarone at its best: concentration without heaviness, depth without excess, elegance earned over time.
Verona, with its wines, becomes the natural catalyst. A place where athletic achievement, cultural vision and gastronomic intelligence share a common rhythm. Not spectacle for its own sake, but substance—precision, restraint and belief in the long game. A mindset that the 2021 vintage captures with unusual clarity.
A Clear Stylistic Shift
Across tastings, a consistent stylistic message emerges. The best 2021 Amarones are more balanced and fruit-defined, leaving behind oxidative notes and overripe heaviness. They are wines of flow, energy and drinkability—unmistakably Amarone, yet speaking a more contemporary language.
Tasting Notes
Ca’ La Bionda – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Ravazzol
Floral and finely etched, with orange zest, fresh herbs and mint. Supple and juicy, driven by clarity of fruit and lively acidity. Poised and energetic. 94/100
La Collina dei Ciliegi – Amarone della Valpolicella Ciliegio
Pale-hued and agile, offering red cherry, licorice and dark chocolate. Lifted, dynamic and modern in profile. 92/100
Falezze – Amarone della Valpolicella S. Giorgio
Restrained and compact, with medicinal notes and firm tannins. Linear and still tightening; built for development. 90/100
Massimago – Amarone della Valpolicella Corte Gastone
Red fruit and citrus peel layered with dried herbs, mint and balsamic tones. Fresh, clean and well-paced. 93/100
Albino Armani – Amarone della Valpolicella
Measured and composed, with restrained fruit, gentle spice and polished structure. Precision over power. 91/100
Novaia – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Corte Vaona
Artisan in expression, smoky and mineral-led. Vibrant, energetic and driven by tension rather than extraction. 93/100
Tenuta Santa Maria – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Val Verde
Direct and crunchy, marked by firm, youthful tannins. Linear and concise at this stage. 89/100
Roccolo Grassi – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Deep and concentrated, with pronounced volcanic and mineral undertones. Powerful yet controlled, showing remarkable cohesion and depth.
With the 2021 vintage, Roccolo Grassi has produced the finest Amarone in its history. 95/100
Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine – Amarone della Valpolicella
Peppery and mineral, with notes of crushed stone and gunpowder. Taut, energetic and long on the finish. 94/100
Bolla – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Le Origini
Classically proportioned, well executed, slightly dry at this stage. Solid and correct. 91/100
Manara – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Corte Manara
Dense yet agile, with red pulp fruit, dried fruit and menthol nuances. Compact and vibrant. 92/100
Ca’ dei Frati – Amarone della Valpolicella Pietro dal Cero
Modern and polished, offering red cherry, mint and licorice. Clean, balanced and confidently styled. 93/100
Rubinelli Vajol – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
A standout of the vintage. Juicy core framed by saline, peppery and mineral tension. Long, energetic and finely balanced. 96/100
Santa Sofia – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Licorice, cola and citrus peel over crunchy cherry fruit. Taut and mineral, slightly firm on the finish. 91/100
Santi – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Bright sour cherry and citrus notes. Juicy and mineral-driven, well made but still settling. 92/100
Secondo Marco – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Robust and tactile, with dried fruit and a rugged texture. Powerful and clearly destined for ageing. 90/100
Salvaterra – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Cherry and blackcurrant aromas with a supple, drinkable palate. Fine, precise tannins suggest positive evolution. 92/100
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