The San Rustico 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a bit lighter and brighter than many of its competitors, although it does still deliver a hearty 15.5% alcohol content. It shows dark fruit aromas and spice over a medium-rich texture that could pair with a classic steak and baked potato. Production is 30,000 bottles.

The San Rustico 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (with 30,000 bottles released) shows a dark and savory side with raisin and prune followed by dark spice and campfire ember. This is a brawny and bold Amarone from a hot vintage to pair with game meats or spicy barbecue cooked over smoky hot coals. The wine is in a nice spot in its drinking window right now, so there's no reason to wait much longer before popping the cork. Sweet fruit softens up the full-bodied mouthfeel of this traditional blend of 68% Corvina, 27% Rondinella and 5% Molinara.

The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico just makes it, passing under that tricky threshold of air-dried fruit that can sometimes taste too dried out. That threshold was harder to navigate in the hot and dry 2012 vintage, but the team at San Rustico has fared well, especially if it is your pleasure to drink this wine in the near or medium term. Dark fruit and prune cede to dry spice and road paving.

San Rustico's 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico benefits from the softly rolling hills of Marano in Valpolicella for good sun exposure and balanced ripening. This polished and refined Amarone delivers bright fruit quality with tangible notes of black cherry and wild berry that are sometimes difficult to decipher with appassimento (air-dryed fruit). The finish is embellished by spicy notes of clove and cardamom. The wine shows moderate complexity that should develop with a few more years of bottle aging.