A benchmark biodynamic Amarone from the heart of Valpolicella Classica, made by Monte Dall'Ora on ancient dry stone terraces using the traditional drying method and aged for five and a half years before release, a wine of profound depth and character.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby-garnet, almost opaque. The nose is medicinal, balsamic, and complex with aromas of ripe dark plum, dried figs, leather, dark chocolate, liquorice, violet, and a warm herbal depth. On the palate it is full bodied, rich, and concentrated, with the characteristic sweetness of dried grapes counterbalanced by firm tannins and remarkable freshness. The finish is long, elegant, and persistent. Named for the stropa, the willow switch used to tie the vines to their pergolas, a symbol of the estate's commitment to tradition.
Quick Facts
- Grapes: 40% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, 10% Oseleta and Molinara
- Origin: Italy, Veneto, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (Classico, Castellroto)
- Style: Dry red, biodynamic, made from dried grapes (appassimento), 5.5 years ageing
- Winemaking: Manual harvest, grapes dried 4 months in open-sided fruttaio, spontaneous fermentation for 30 to 40 days with foot-treading, 3 years in 25hl botti, 2.5 years in bottle
Food Pairing
The classic Veronese pairing: braised beef in Amarone, wild game, aged Grana Padano, and rich winter dishes. Also extraordinary alongside dark chocolate.
Serving
Serve at 18°C. Decant for at least 1 hour. This wine has decades of ageing potential.
About the Producer
Monte Dall'Ora is the life project of Carlo Venturini and his wife Alessandra Zantedeschi, both from vigneron families in Valpolicella, who founded the estate in 1995 in Castellroto in the hills above Verona. Working 9 hectares of ancient dry stone terraces on cool southeast-facing limestone soils, they farm entirely biodynamically and work only with traditional indigenous varieties including the nearly-extinct Oseleta. They are one of the true natural wine pioneers of Valpolicella, in a region dominated by oak-laden commercial Amarone.
