2019 Santi 'Santico' Amarone della Valpolicella

Aromas of dried black cherry, plum, and cocoa integrate with notes of tobacco leaf and a hint of exotic spice. The palate is full-bodied and exceptionally smooth, featuring a rich layer of dark fruit and a plush, velvety texture. It displays integrated tannins and a surprising freshness that leads to a long, decadent finish marked by notes of raisin and bittersweet chocolate.

Winemaker Cristian Ridolfi utilizes a traditional blend of Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella. In the cellar, the grapes undergo appassimento, drying for several months on bamboo racks to concentrate sugars and flavors. The fruit is then fermented slowly and aged for two years in large oak casks and smaller French barriques. This process develops the wine’s profound depth and complexity while maintaining its characteristic elegance.

The fruit is grown in the Valpolicella Classico zone in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. The site is defined by its terraced vineyards and varied soils of limestone and clay, which provide excellent drainage. These hillside plots benefit from cooling breezes off Lake Garda, allowing the grapes to maintain structural balance despite the intense drying process. This unique terroir produces a wine with the power and concentration that defines high-quality Amarone.