The 2008 La Formica Amarone della Valpolicella is dark and brooding, bringing tons of dark cherry reduction, raisin and hints of licorice and dark chocolate. Massive, powerful and densely packed with rich jammy fruit and an eye-popping 16.5% alcohol, which seems to be just a bit too much here. This style will not be for everyone, but for those who like big, sweet, dessert-like Amarone then this is for you. You can approach this now, but it also has the potential to last a few good years in the cellar. The Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta is aged for a year for 2/3 in tonnaux and 1/3 in barriques, another year in steel and finally it is aged one year in bottle. (Best 2014-2022) - January, 2013 (JD)