Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018 750ml

Gerardo Cesari founded the winery in 1936, and his son Franco joined in the early 1960s. Cesari was among the first houses to export Amarone to five continents. Since 2014 it has been part of the Caviro group, with a new winery in Fumane, in Valpolicella Classica, and its historic cellar in Cavaion Veronese.

The winery builds its Amarone on Corvina and Rondinella from Valpolicella Classica vineyards on calcareous clay. In the producer's method, the grapes dry in crates in a ventilated fruttaio until December, losing about 30% of their weight, before maceration and roughly a year in Slavonian oak casks. It's 15% alcohol.

The winery describes ripe cherry, fruit preserves and subtle spice, warm and full-bodied with soft tannins, and calls the wine enveloping, balanced and round.

Against Nicolis Amarone Classico 2019, Cesari is the rounder, softer style; for a plush Amarone at a slightly lower price, choose Cesari.

The producer suggests serving it at 16 to 18°C. Pour it with braised beef, game, risotto with Amarone or aged Monte Veronese.

Browse more Amarone and Valpolicella and our Italian wine. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery across NYC.