Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - Paolo Cottini

The Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG by Paolo Cottini is the crowning achievement of a consistent artisan range that respects the territory — the same estate behind the fresh Valpolicella Classico and the bestselling Ripasso, demonstrating with this Amarone its ability to express the full potential of the Classico zone in the dried-grape wine par excellence of the Valpolicella.

Paolo Cottini produces his Classico Amarone with the same artisan approach that defines all his production: no compromise on grape quality, respect for traditional appassimento and ageing timescales, and a refusal of modern styles that favour extreme concentration or new barrique boisé notes. The goal is an Amarone that tells the Veronese territory with honesty and depth, without stylistic artifice.

The selected Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes from estate vineyards in the Classico zone are dried in the traditional fruttaio for over 90 days, losing over 35% of their weight. Fermentation is slow and patient, and ageing takes place exclusively in large Slavonian oak barrels — the traditional choice that preserves the varietal aromas and ensures progressive oxygenation without imparting new wood notes to the wine.

On the nose it is classic and enveloping: black cherry and morello jam, blackberry, cacao, pipe tobacco, dried violet, warm spice and a balsamic note of Veronese aromatic herbs. On the palate it is structured and warm, with already well-polished tannins from the ageing, a harmonious glyceric sweetness that balances the alcoholic power, a fresh acidity that provides vertical drive and longevity, and a long, persistent finish with notes of concentrated dark fruit, spice and cacao. A genuinely classic Amarone, from someone who has known the territory for generations and has no need for special effects.