Terre di Leone Amarone della Valpolicella 2005

Matt Steeves rated this wine as 95/100 with the following review:

Terre di Leone's 2005 Amarone represents their first vintage of Amarone and what a beautiful vintage they had to work with! Now after a decade of aging, this Amarone is beginning to show the evolution of the dried fruit, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, and baking spice, by showing hints of Sherry with rustic notes beginning to emerge, making it that much more complex and intriguing especially to those that appreciate aged Amarone.

Grapes were harvested from a gorgeous terraced vineyard sitting high in a valley near the village of Marano (at over 400 metres above sea level). The 2005 is a blend of 40% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Oseleta, that was hand picked then carefully left to dry for 120-140 days before maceration and fermentation began. The result is a rich and concentrated Amarone and at 16.5% this robust wine is remarkably smooth, graceful, and refined - a testament to the hands that crafted this gem. Currants and spice persist on the long finish, and when paired with braised dishes it's terrific, or enjoy with 75% cacao after a meal and be as equally impressed with the versatility of pairing options you have with delicious Amarone. Tasted September 2016. 95 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca