Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - Tenuta Marcati

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - Tenuta MarcatiIn the glass, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - Tenuta Marcati displays a bright ruby red with a dense core and delicate reflections tending towards garnet. The first impression is opulent and clear, with high brilliance. Even when swirled in the glass, the powerful structure becomes visible through the slow church windows on the glass wall. On the nose, a multi-layered, deep bouquet unfolds, typical of Amarone from Veneto. Juicy dried plum comes to the fore, joined by ripe black cherry, blackberry and a hint of cassis. Dark chocolate settles over it like a fine veil, while tobacco notes, sweet spices and a touch of vanilla round off the aroma. Subtle hints of coffee, dried figs and a little liquorice appear, along with a delicate note of rose petals and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - Tenuta Marcati presents itself as full-bodied, silky and at the same time powerful. The dried fruit aromas of dried plum and fig merge with ripe black cherry, dark berries and a hint of candied orange peel. The tannins appear ripe, soft and tightly woven, giving the wine structure without hardness. The acidity appears balanced and brings freshness to the opulent richness. On the mid-palate, nuances of dark chocolate, mocha and sweet tobacco emerge, along with fine spicy accents of cinnamon, clove and pepper. The body appears powerful, rich and at the same time elegantly guided. The finish of this Amarone is long and impressive, with persistent notes of chocolate, dried fruits and a fine smoky tone. A hint of almonds and dark cherry accompanies the finale. The style is clearly fruit-driven, yet spicy and complex, with a focus on harmony between richness, warmth and elegance. The origin in the hilly landscape of Valpolicella in Veneto shapes the character of the wine. The vineyards lie on calcareous soils with layers of marl and partly clayey deposits. The climate of the region brings warm summers, mild winters and fresh winds from the Alps. This location promotes slow ripening of the grapes, concentrated aromas and a remarkable structure. Corvina and Rondinella are ideally suited to this terroir, providing intense fruit, spice and depth. The main impressions on the nose and palate are clearly defined. For better orientation, the interplay of aromas appears in these facets: Fruit: dried plum, black cherry, blackberry, dried figs, a little candied orange peel Spice: tobacco, cinnamon, clove, pepper, liquorice, delicate vanilla Roasted notes: dark chocolate, mocha, subtle hints of coffee Floral and herbal nuances: rose petals, Mediterranean herbs, a hint of undergrowth The Amarone style appears rich and concentrated. The slow ripening of the grapes and the classic maturation lead to a wine with charming warmth and deep structure. At the same time, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - Tenuta Marcati remains surprisingly balanced, never ponderous, but with a clear line and firm form. Production of Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG from Tenuta Marcati The grapes for this Amarone come from selected vineyards in the protected Amarone della Valpolicella appellation in Veneto. The vines grow on slopes with well-drained, calcareous soils, interspersed with marl and partly gravel. The exposure of the sites allows for plenty of sunshine during the day, while fresh air currents from the pre-Alps cool the nights. These contrasts promote aromatic depth and stable structure in the berries. The cuvée is based on Corvina and Rondinella. Corvina provides the juicy cherry note, the clear fruit and the elegant tannin structure. Rondinella brings additional color, spice and a hint of herbal aroma to the cuvée. Together they form the typical Amarone profile with intense fruit, fine spice and long maturation. The harvest is usually selective and done by hand, so that only fully ripe grapes reach the cellar. The winegrowers place great value on small crates to keep the berries intact. After the harvest, the grapes are traditionally dried on racks or in shallow crates in well-ventilated rooms, the so-called appassimento. Over several weeks to months, the berries lose water, the aromas intensify, the sugar content increases and the skins concentrate their color and tannins. After the drying period, gentle destemming and pressing take place. A cold maceration period intensifies color and aromas before fermentation begins. Fermentation is temperature-controlled in order to preserve the aromatic diversity and to shape the powerful structure in a targeted way. Extended maceration brings additional depth, extract and complexity to the young wine. The wine then matures for an extended period in wooden barrels, often in a combination of large casks and barriques. The wood supports the wine with delicate roasted aromas, notes of vanilla, chocolate and fine smoke. At the same time, the tannins become rounder and gain in elegance. Maturation on the fine lees lends additional creaminess and depth. After barrel aging, a further re...