A graceful red, with a rich core of black plum reduction and espresso crema flavors, with minerally accents of loamy earth and iron, sassafras and black tea leaves. Medium- to full-bodied, broad and creamy on the palate, with well-meshed, dense tannins emerging only on the finish to trim it slightly. Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Drink now through 2035. 1,281 cases made, 200 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Select to Add

Full-bodied and rich, this well-spiced red is nevertheless elegant throughout. Features fine, plush tannins and lightly mouthwatering acidity seamlessly knit to an appealing range of black cherry coulis, rich date and fig cake accents. Shows tar-tinged smoke and earth notes that glide across the palate and linger on the finish. Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Drink now through 2035. 3,000 cases made, 150 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Select to Add

With 15,670 bottles produced, the 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Campolongo di Torbe is slightly more slender and streamlined (compared to the Mazzano), but you are still getting a wine of enormous density, concentration and sheer power (with a 16% alcohol content). The bouquet is redolent of baked fruit, kirsch and blackberry preserves. The wine also shows a slightly savory side with cured tobacco leaf and crushed clove.

A lovely Amarone, deftly integrating sculpted tannins with a fragrant range of rich, loamy earth, black licorice strap, date and bay leaf aromas and flavors. A streak of tangy iron is deeply embedded through the midpalate, emerging to drive the lasting, spiced finish. Drink now through 2027. 1,250 cases made, 75 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Select to Add

This important wine pours from the bottle with very rich and attractive concentration and a sultry dark garnet color. The Masi 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Campolongo di Torbe certainly knows how to make a grand statement. Density and elegance, power and balance all come into play no matter how contradictory those descriptors might appear. This wine pulls it off, and it also manages to hide some of the overt ripeness and heaviness that commonly appeared in other wines from this very hot and dry vintage. You sense that the fruit is ripe, for sure, but the wine does not reveal too much sweetness. In fact, the finish is quite dry and even that 16% alcohol is well managed. The blend is 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. The wine ages in traditional Veronesi casks (measuring 600-liters) for three years. The personality of Campolongo di Torbe is dry, austere and strong. It's always a toss-up every year that I taste these wines, but in 2012, I prefer this wine over the Mazzano. Production is 15,400 bottles.