Grape varieties and vineyards: 80% Corvina Veronese and 20% Rondinella. The vines are vertical-trellised and Guyot trained, with a planting density of 5000 vines/ha. Production area: The grapes come from the Tenuta Novare vineyards at Arbizzano di Negrar, in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica area, with calcareous-marl soils, devoted exclusively to the production of Amarone.

Vinification: The harvest is done by hand in the second week of September. After careful bunch selection, the grapes are taken to the drying rooms and laid in a single layer on bamboo racks. They remain here for about 120 days to gain better concentration, favouring the development of a rich aromatic profile. In mid-January the grapes are destemmed and crushed. Maceration at 4-5°C for about 20 days, then a slow fermentation starts – about 30 days in concrete vats at a maximum temperature of 18°C. Ageing: Amarone Classico Bertani ages in Slavonian oak barrels, with an average capacity of 60 hl, for about six years. Then it matures in the bottle for at least 12 months.

"The wine world needs to give more recognition to classical wines that embody the greatness of time and place. This is one reason that JamesSuckling.com has chosen the Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015 as our Wine of the Year for 2024. It comes from vineyards on the Tenuta Novare estate in the northeastern Italian region of Valpolicella Classico, where vines have thrived since the Roman Empire. The wine’s balance and refinement are breathtaking, illustrating the greatness of neoclassical wines today – wines that draw from the past but reflect contemporary precision in viticulture and winemaking, offering the ultimate in harmony and drinkability. And its superb character and nature shines through in the glass despite the traditional grape-drying processes used to produce this red.

"A vivid ruby color with a garnet tinge and super-restrained nose of licorice, oak bark, smoke, wood, cigar box, leather, dark chocolate, crushed violets and prunes. Freshness and subtlety. Full-bodied and elegant on the palate due to ripe, filigree tannins with long acidity and a toasty, savory aftertaste. One of the great Amarones. Corvina and Rondinella. Ready to drink now, but intended for the long haul." 100pts James Suckling