Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/44136
CELLAR FOCUS LE SALETTE The Scamperle family's winery is in Fumane and they farm 50 acres of estate vineyards. The house style is intense but fresh and fruity. Le Salette 2006 Amarone Pergole Vece ($120) Fragrant and luscious; chocolate and coffee; rich, dense with concentrated sweet oak and great balance; bright, silky and lush; intense with amazing mouthfeel and structure. 98 VIAS IMPORTS MASI The region's top producer was one of the first two (Bolla was the other) to commercial- ize Amarone. Masi makes a million cases of 33 different wines (including bottlings from new vineyards in Argentina). They make a number of Amarones, including the following which is from the family estate of Dante Alighieri. Masi 2004 Amarone Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron ($75) Blackberry and spice; rich and intense with lovely balance; juicy and intense with tangy blackberry fruit notes. 94 FOLIO FINE WINE PARTNERS ROCCOLO GRASSI Straddling the border of Valpolicella and Soave, this superb winery makes wine in both regions. The Amarone, made by young Marco Sartori and marketed by his sister Francesca, is elegant and in lovely balance. Roccolo Grassi 2006 Amarone ($100) Deep earth and con- centrated plum nose; lush, rich and ripe; juicy and powerful but elegant; intense and fresh, smooth with chocolate, plum and cassis; perfect balance, great length, amazingly layered and intense. 100 CHAMBERS & CHAMBERS SARTORI This older fi rm located in the north of the region specializes in good value wines but boasts Franco Bernabei as winemak- ing consultant. Sartori 2004 Amarone I Saltari ($60) Dense and clean; chocolaty and spicy; rich, concentrated and long; ripe and fl eshy; deep finish. 92 BANFI VINTNERS SPERI This family, making wine for 150 years, farms 50 acres of estate vineyards. The wines are traditional and well made. Speri 2006 Amarone Monte Sant' Urbino (~$80) Silky and ripe; juicy and lovely, blackberry and blueberry with good structure and length; tangy and balanced. 91 EMPSON USA 110 / the tasting panel / october 201 1 ZANATO This large family operation produces a wide range of wines that are always well-made and reliable. Zanato 2006 Amarone ($70) Fresh, smooth, and juicy; lovely, clean, and plummy. 92 WINEBOW Francesca and Marco Sartori of Roccolo Grassi are among the cutting edge of Amarone producers. TEDESCHI The Tedeschis have been making wine in Valpolicella for nearly 200 years. In 1918 they bought the Monte Olmi vineyard, which produces exceptionally elegant and stylish Amarone. Tedeschi 2006 Amarone Monte Olmi ($85) Focused, precise and elegant; long and complex; stunning with violets and lovely concentration. 94 DREYFUS, ASHBY & CO. TENUTA SANT'ANTONIO A relatively new producer who is a proponent of the modern, fruit-forward style of Amarone. Tenuta Sant'Antonio 2007 Amarone Selezione Antonio Castagnedi ($45) Juicy, fresh, concen- trated; lush, ripe and dense; rich and balanced; lively. 93 DALLA TERRA PHOTO: ANTHONY DIAS BLUE