Sartori Amarone della Valpolicella (75cl, 15%)

A full-bodied Italian red wine from Valpolicella in Veneto, bottled at 15% ABV in a 750ml format. It is made by the appassimento method: hand-harvested Corvina (50%), Corvinone (20%) and Rondinella (30%) grapes are dried in ventilated rooms for approximately three months before a 30-day fermentation in stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation takes place in concrete vats, then the wine matures for three years in large Slavonian oak casks. The nose opens with dried rose petal and black cherry, then raisin, cocoa and a wisp of incense. The palate is smooth and round, with dried cherry, raspberry compote, licorice, black plum and cake spice, supported by velvety yet tightly woven tannins. The finish is long and warmly spiced, with cinnamon and subtle tobacco.