Ca' del Monte Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Italy

Dark cherry, dried plum, and warm baking spices rise from the glass with deep intensity. 2017 Ca' del Monte Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG is a powerful yet refined expression of the traditional Amarone style, crafted from organically farmed hillside vineyards overlooking the village of Negrar. Produced by the Zaconte family using the classic appassimento method and native fermentation, the wine reflects both the heritage of Valpolicella Classico and a philosophy rooted in traditional farming and minimal cellar manipulation.

Product Details:

• Winemakers: Umberto Zaconte & Giuseppe Zaconte
  
• ABV: 16%
  
• Varietals: 45% Corvina, 35% Rondinella, 10% Molinara, 10% other indigenous varieties
  
• Soil: Calcareous marl
  
• Elevation: 270 meters
  
• Vine Age: Planted between 1935 and 1980
  
• Farming: Practicing organic
  
• Harvest: Early October
  
• Fermentation: Native yeast fermentation after extended grape drying
  
• Appassimento: Grapes dried on trays until February
  
• Aging: 18 to 20 months in large French and Slovenian oak barrels
  
• Fining: None
  
• Filtering: None

Sensory Description:

2017 Ca' del Monte Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG opens with layered aromas of warm raspberry, dried cherry, violet, fennel, and sweet baking spice framed by gentle oak. The palate is rich and concentrated, revealing flavors of stewed plum, raisin, dark chocolate, and clove alongside hints of vanilla and toasted wood. Noble tannins provide structure while balanced acidity lifts the wine’s powerful fruit core. The finish is long and warming, marked by lingering dried fruit, cocoa, and spice that underscore the wine’s depth and complexity.

Winemaker’s Background:

Ca' del Monte sits on the hillsides above the village of Negrar in the historic heart of Valpolicella Classico. The estate has been owned by the same family for generations and is currently managed by brothers Umberto and Giuseppe Zaconte. Their modest winery, connected to a seventeenth-century monastery, reflects a philosophy centered on traditional viticulture and respect for the land. The vineyards consist of mature vines planted in challenging hillside soils that naturally limit yields and concentrate fruit character. By combining traditional grape drying methods with native fermentation and minimal intervention in the cellar, the Zaconte family produces Amarone that honors both heritage and place.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 60 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit in a large Bordeaux-style glass to allow the wine’s aromatics and complexity to fully develop. Pair with slow-braised meats, beef tenderloin with truffle butter, rich stews, aged cheeses, or hearty pasta dishes. The wine’s concentration and structure make it particularly well-suited to robust, savory cuisine.