Prà Morandina, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2017

Winemaker’s Notes: After searching for the right site, Graziano Pra began the new millennium by fulfilling his long term ambition and purchasing a 13 hectare vineyard near Mezzane in eastern Valpolicella. At 450m altitude, the steep glacial slopes of poor, rocky yellow marl soil produce meagre crops and the cool nights ensure a long ripening period. No chemical treatments are used. The grapes (Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseletta) are dried in a fruttaio (drying room) for 2 months. Grapes are macerated and fermented for 15 days in stainless steel vats. Delestage is followed by malo-lactic fermentation in 1/3 in Allier barriques and the rest in 5hl tonneaux for 2 years.

Tasting: A ripe, open and spicy nose with aromas of wild cherry, plums and dried herbs. Firm, ripe tannins with flavours of bitter cherry, spice and tarry, liquorice notes. The finish is complex and long, further opening to reveal dried orange peel, and ripe red fruit characters backed by a hint of mocha. A fine and distinctive style of Amarone capable of further development in bottle.

Pairings: Mature, strong cheeses – roast beef or game

94 Points – Vinous The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Morandina is youthfully coy, slowly evolving with a delicate blend of dusty rose, stone dust and dried strawberries. This displays fantastic balance, cooling and crisp, with silken textures and depths of red and black fruits that slowly saturate. Crunchy tannins resonate as the 2017 tapers off dramatically long and staining, leaving a pleasantly bitter twang and saline minerals to linger on.