2018 Tenuta Sant'Antonio Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli Corvina

Remarkably pretty, yet dark and intense, the 2018 Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli bursts from the glass with dusty notes of dried roses, balsamic spice, tobacco, dark chocolate and dried black cherries. Seamless and elegant in style, this envelops the palate with ripe red and blue fruits, taking on a bitter tinge of mocha and espresso toward the close. It finishes long and staining, with a coating of fine-grained tannins that adds a classically dry impression while minty herbal tones maintain freshness. This transcends the 2018 vintage, yet patience will be required. ~95 Vinous Media

Intriguing flecks of musk and mushroom color the deep vein of dried red and black fruit on the nose and this tandem of fruit and savory notes is played out also on the palate, which is full-bodied with very fine tannins that have started to sink into the wine. Very intense and focused with persistent, cordial-like fruit through the long, long finish. The balance and poise here are notable and this is well set for a long life. But very tempting to drink now. ~ 94 James Suckling

Rich dark ruby, narrow rim. Rich notes, of dried plum, some pickled walnut, liquorice in the background. On the palate a lot of grippy tannin, in the back course unfortunately quite coarse tannin, dries clearly, in the echo clear oak overhang. ~90 Falstaff