DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2012

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The Dal Forno Family has been making some of the most compelling wines from the region out of their Val D’Illasi estate since 1983, and the 2012 Amarone della Valpolcellia is yet another magnificent wine to add to the list of incredible wines. The blend of 60% Corvina, 20% Rondinella Oseleta and 10% Croatina is placed in a plastic plateaux for three months in large open rooms, with an innovative ventilation system, prior to an additional 24 months in barrel. The result is a sensational wine that opens to simply striking aromatics of fresh ripe black cherries and sweet blackberries woven together with exotic spices, spring florals, dark chocolate and smoldering tobacco just to name a few. On the palate this is full-bodied and layered with beautifully polished tannins that make this nearly impossible to resist. The remarkable overall structure, balance and concentration take this to another level as it heads into the ultra-long finish. The 2012 is an utterly fascinating wine which will last decades, this is certainly a wine to behold. (Best 2020-2042)

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2010

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The 2010 Amarone della Valpolicella from Dal Forno is a truly majestic wine and may ultimately be one of the most successful wines to ever come from this iconic estate in Val D’Illasi. When it comes to Amarone, Dal Forno is a benchmark, using traditional methods in the vineyard, and modern techniques in the cellar to achieve the highest quality. Dal Forno only selects the finest bunches, in this vintage the Amarone includes 60% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Croatina, 10% Oseleta. The selected grapes are then placed in plastic plateaux and are then left to rest for 90 days in large open rooms, where an innovative ventilation system helps maintain an elevated and thorough air flow. The fruit, which still contains some residual sugar, is then placed into new barriques, where it begins a slow fermentation process, which will last for a further 18 months. The total amount of time that it remains in the barriques is 36 months. The end result is an absolutely stunning wine, which flirts with the limits of perfection as it displays a pitch dark color and offers seductive and incredibly complex aromatics of black cherries, blackberries, ripe mission figs, black winter truffles, dark chocolate, violets with traces of leather and tobacco all taking shape. While the aromatics are intoxicating, the most impressive feature in this full-bodied red is its remarkable balance and structure. This possesses a gorgeous velvety, polished texture and awe-inspiring depth and concentration, which is backed by core of underlying minerality resulting in the perfect median between raw power and sheer class. Everything comes together seamlessly on the long, multidimensional finish, which lingers on, leaving a lasting impression. While this is already completely fascinating, patience will be a virtue, as this age-worthy Amarone will thrive in the cellar for decades to come. (Best 2020-2040)

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2009

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The 2009 Romano Dal forno Amarone is another magical effort from this prestigious estate. Dal Forno clearly has the reputation as one of very best producers in the region and their 2009 Amarone is just another example of the high quality wine being produced. This blend of blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta and Croatina is dense and powerful with intense aromas of black cherry reduction and blackberries woven together with spices, dark chocolate, violets and sweet pipe tobacco resin, which all come together beautifully in this seductive Amarone. On the palate this possesses remarkable concentration and depth with layer upon layer of ripe fruits cascading onto the long mouth coating finish. The 2009 will demand some extended cellaring, but it is ultimately another remarkable wine to add to the long list of legendary Amarone from the Dal Forno family. (Best 2022-2042)

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2008

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The 2008 Amarone is a truly remarkable wine and another impressive showing from Romano Dal Forno. This massive wine is composed of 60% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Oseleta, 10% Croatina, which deliver wonderful aromas and flavors black fruit reduction, raisin, dark chocolate, roasted coffee, exotic spices, fresh floral and minerals, which are all woven together in this intense, powerful wine. It is held together beautifully with an amazing structure and underlying acidity, which provides some lift to the dense, concentrated fruit. The finish is seamless, leaving behind mouth coating layers of delicious flavors to linger on. Although this is flat-out delicious today, ultimately this is made for the long haul and will require some cellaring before it reaches its true potential. That being said, his is an incredibly compelling wine and just about as good as Amarone gets. (Best 2019-2040)

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2006

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The 2006 Romano Dal Forno Amarone is stunning, the intoxicating aromas of sweetly ripened blackberries, dark cherry reduction, raisin, crushed violets, spices, smoke and dark chocolate leap from the glass. Powerful, rich, concentrated and extremely well balanced, this demonstrates impeccable structure with round, polished tannins that work their way seamlessly through the wine and explode on the ultra-long, mouth-coating finish. There is no doubt this is a serious Amarone, boasting an astonishing 17% alcohol volume, but it is so well-integrated into the bold fruit it is hardly even noticeable. The blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara was aged in new barriques for 22-28 months prior to an additional 24 months in bottle before release. You can certainly get away with approaching this wine early on, but it also has the stuff to age with the best. (Best 2014-2035)

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 1998

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The 1998 Dal Forno Romano Amarone has everything I look for in a wine; power, finesse, elegance, complexity, structure and is just out right delicious. This Amarone has a pitch black color and explodes with layer upon layer of fresh black fruit, vanilla, raisin, mocha, espresso bean, exotic spices and clean mineral aromas and flavors. It possesses a full body with wonderful concentration backed by firm, polished tannins that carry through to a long finish that keeps pumping out more and more mouth watering flavors. Perfectly made and absolutely delicious. This could last another two decade. It's extremely rare when I consider a wine to be perfect, but this 1998 Dal Forno Amarone has reached the pinnacle of perfection. Bravo! (Drink 2009-2030

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2012

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The 2012 Valpolicella Superiore 'Vigneto Monte Lodoletta' is a fantastic showing from Dal Forno. This dark and brooding wine begins with seductive aromas of ripe blackberries and dark cherries, which are laced with spices, cigar box, flowers, tar and smoky nuances all taking shape in the glass. This is full-bodied and beautifully polished, with outstanding overall balance of ripe fruit and acidity. It continues to impress with incredible depth and concentration through the long, opulent finish. Another sensational Valpolicella from the Dal Forno Family, and while this is outstanding right now, it will also have a long evolution ahead. (Best 2020-2037)

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2010

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The 2010 Valpolicella Superiore is a utterly fascinating wine from Dal Forno in this vintage. Composed from 70% Corvina and Corvina Grossa, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina, 5% Oseleta, the selected grapes are then placed in plastic plateaux and are left to rest for 45 days in large open rooms, where an innovative ventilation system helps maintain an elevated and thorough air flow. After the racking process, the Valpolicella rests for a few days in stainless steel tanks and subsequently is placed in new barriques to mature for 36 long months. The result is a wine which displays a pitch dark, inky color, followed by complex aromatics of ripe black currants, black cherries, mission figs woven together with espresso, grilled herbs, bittersweet chocolate, graphite and some earthy loam and straw characteristics all taking shape in this seductive Valpolicella. On this palate this is full-bodied with beautifully polished tannins and remarkable overall structure and balance, with impressive minerality at it core. It all comes together beautifully on the long, expansive finish which lingers on and on. It seems as if this wine continues to improve in quality each vintage, and the 2010 is the most compelling Valpolicella I have ever tasted from the estate. Overall, this is another total success from the Dal Forno Family. (Best 2019-2030)

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2009

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The 2009 growing season was a bit of a challenge for winemakers in the region, but you would never know when tasting this simply stunning wine from Romano Dal Forno. It displays a wonderful dark, opaque, almost black color, followed by complex aromas, consisting of sweet dark cherries and ripe black berries, exotic spices, dark chocolate, leather, dusty minerals, violets, cherry-tobacco and even a touch of raisin come through with air. The full body is dense and layered, but remains beautifully balanced and structured. This shows a remarkable balance of power and finesse as it continues to deliver loads of sweet dark fruits and exotic spices all the way through the long, persistent finish. Today, this is already such a compelling wine and does become accessible given extended air contact. However, there is no doubt it will certainly benefit even further if allowed from some time to evolve. Composed of 70% Corvina and Corvina grossa, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina, 5% Oseleta. (Best 2019-2035)

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2008

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The 2008 Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore is a wonderfully compelling wine and comes from one of the greatest producers in all of Italy. This fantastic blend of 70% Covina and Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta and 5% Croatina is sourced from the Single Vineyard Cru of Monte Lodoletta and gets the same exact treatment as the estates Amarone. The wine itself is beautifully concentrated, delivering layers of flavors including fresh blackberries, dark cherries, dried herbs, exotic spices, vanilla, licorice, chocolate, dusty minerals and a touch of pine sap. Everything is balanced by gorgeous underlying acidity, which keeps it fresh and inviting all the way through the long finish. This is an age-worthy wine that will continue to evolve for years to come. (Best 2016-2032)

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2006

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The 2006 Dal Forno Valpolicella is outstanding, ripe black cherries and dried blackberries lead the way, immediately followed by sandalwood, roasted coffee and pipe tobacco. It demonstrates amazing power, concentration and depth, yet the underlying acidity keeps it light on its feet. The polished tannins burst on the ultra-long, chewy finish where dark fruits linger on and on. Just a fantastic effort and a big time Valpolicella that will develop beautifully over the next decade. Composed of 70% Corvina; 20% Rondinella; 5% Croatina; 5% Oseleta. (Best 2016-2026)

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DAL FORNO ROMANO
Amarone della Valpolicella 2003

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The 2003 Romano Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore Vigneto Monte Lodoletta shows impressive power and depth. Offering enticing aromas of blackberry, raisin, spices, peppered beef, graphite, chocolate and toasted oak. Full-bodied with gorgeous soft polished tannins which turn chewy on the long lasting finish. Balanced and structured remaining fresh and light on its feet for such a big wine. This is drinking beautiful right now with some good years ahead. (Best 2013-2020))

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