2019 Roccolo Grassi Amarone della Valpolicella

Roccolo Grassi sits in the eastern hills of Valpolicella, almost perfectly equidistant between Soave and Negrar — a small estate where brother and sister Marco and Francesca Sartoli have been farming organically and pursuing single-vineyard precision since taking the reins in 2003. Their father Bruno started the winery in the 1970s; the siblings relaunched it in 1996 with a focus on quality over quantity, and the results speak for themselves. Every vineyard is hand-tended, every vine pruned individually, and yields fluctuate wildly vintage to vintage because Marco refuses to compromise.

Amarone is Valpolicella's flagship — grapes dried in naturally ventilated conditions until December, concentrating sugars and flavors, then fermented in temperature-controlled tanks with 30 days of maceration.

Marco uses very little dried fruit in his Amarone, preferring a fresher, more elegant style that never sacrifices texture or balance. The resulting wines are textured and serious without crossing into heavy. Annual production is 10,000 bottles per year.

2019 is a five-star vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG — exceptional structure, complexity, and aging potential across the board. The best wines from this vintage are built to cellar 30-plus years, but they're approachable in their youth. The drying process preserved the fruit's quality, and the aromas grow more defined, intricate, and fine with time.

Delicious dried cherry, graham cracker, New York cherry cheesecake, dried dark fruit, subtle herbs and baking spice. The palate offers more cherry in a very fresh and elegant style — fine-textured tannins beautifully integrated with fresh dark fruit, dried cherry, and delicate spices on a long, refreshing finish. Intense ruby red color. Hints of cherry, red berries, plum, spice, tobacco, and herbs on the nose. Smooth, supple tannins and a fine, lingering finish.

This is Amarone built for the long haul, from a family that farms like each vine matters — because to them, it does.