Serego Alighieri Vaio Amaron Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2016

95 Points, Vinous
The 2016 Amarone Vaio Armaron is understated in the glass, forcing the taster to work for its delicate bouquet of confectionery spices, crushed stone, graphite and dried blueberries. This is a beauty—seamlessly silky and precise, with fresh acidity and pretty red berry fruits. Tactile mineral tones add traction toward the close. The 2016 finishes lightly tannic and quite refined, with a pleasant bitter tinge that puckers the cheeks. This is a fantastically balanced interpretation of Vaio Armaron.

95 Points, Wine Enthusiast
An intense narrative of deep, dark fruits and earthy notes, unfolding a complex combination of rich cherry and plum flavors interwoven with a mix of chai spice and rosewood. Its profound, enduring finish resonates, lingering in the memory long after the last sip.

95 Points, Decanter
From the estate owned by the descendants of Dante near Lake Garda, the Amarones of Serego Alighieri are rounder and smoother compared to those of Masi itself. This wine includes 10% Molinara from a specific pre-phylloxera clone of the variety grown in the vineyards, and another distinction is the partial use of cherry wood barrels for ageing, for a more oxidative maturation. Deep and dark, this opens with scents of Parma violets, cocoa and dusty books. In the mouth it’s soft and supple, fleshy and silky, the aromas reflected in its flavours along with intense black cherry, bright red cherry and lavender. There’s great balance here, and it’s a wine to relax into over the course of an evening either with or without food.