2017 Masi Costasera Amarone

2017 Masi Costasera Amarone

2017 Masi Costasera Amarone Proud, majestic, complex and exuberant. A benchmark for the Amarone category, which, together with Barolo and Brunello, makes up the aristocracy of the Italian wine world. The product of Masi’s unrivalled expertise in the drying technique, whereby traditional grapes for the Valpolicella Classica area – Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara – are laid out on bamboo racks to concentrate their aromas in winter.

This deep ruby-red wine has powerful, complex aromas of dried plums and balsamic (anise, fennel, mint) traces. Quite dry on the palate, soft and with bright acidity, the wine shows flavors of baked cherry, chocolate and cinnamon. Structured but noble, delicate tannins precede a long finish. Winemaker

Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, Amarone della Valpolicella.  It’s not difficult to pick out the black sheep of Italy’s iconic reds. A gentle giant of sorts, Amarone counts among the most peculiar and polarizing of the world’s collectible wines—sometimes monolithic, sometimes elegant, and often deceptively both.  Amarone is some of the most expensive red wine in the world, mainly because of its means of production.  The appassimento method entails harvesting Amarone’s grapes (Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara) and wind drying them for up to 120 days, resulting in a raisin-like grape, eliminating 30-50% of the grapes’ total weight.  Producers like Quintarelli and Dal Forno cost anywhere from $300-700 a bottle but are mind bending drinking experiences.

Today’s offer is one of Amarone’s most well-known wines at an unbeatable price.  Masi 2017 Costasera Amarone will show you why Amarone is as incredible as it is but at a much more  welcoming price than its elders, 30% off, with 96 points from James Suckling (the highest score he has ever given this wine dating back to his Wine Spectator days) AND free shipping on a case.  Amarone is perfect for the fall and the upcoming holidays.  Act fast, as this wine sells out whenever it is made available.

Masi’s production strategy aims to emphasize the personality of each single product, while maintaining a recognizable Venetian style.  In 1958, Masi was in the forefront of the work to identify the historic “cru” vineyard sites for Amarone.  Masi’s wines are modern, attractive, well-balanced and easily identifiable; characteristics which have earned Masi recognition for having “revolutionized the art of wine-making in the Venetian region.”  Hugh Johnson, one of the world’s greatest wine writers, defines Masi as “a touchstone for Veronese wines.”