Monte Santoccio Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2017

Monte Santoccio is a stony calcareous hill at the head of the valley of Fumane. Nicola Ferrari owns just over 7ha of pergola-trained vineyard on the site, including a plot with over 90-year-old vines. His Amarone, the result of long appassimento, extended maceration and two years in tonneaux, has black cherry and almond aromas, gritty tannins and impressive freshness. Still a little marked by the oak, it needs time but has great promise. Drinking window: 2023-2033. Score – 95. (Richard Baudains, decanter.com, Aug. 17, 2022)