Villa Annaberta Wines Amarone della Valpolicella 2015 Wine Review

Villa Annaberta Wines Amarone della Valpolicella 2015

Veneto D.O.C.G., Italy

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 17

Add My Review

Price: $39.95

Drink: 2020-2026

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 15%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Villa Annaberta Wines

Agent: Dionysus Wines & Spirits Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Lots of toasty oak, smoke, and vanilla spice on the nose and palate of this robust northern Italian red wine. Uses the appassimento method of drying grapes before fermentation to concentrate flavour, texture and weight. Racy acidity on the palate. Tremendous balance with a long, never-ending finish. Pair with pepper steak.

Best Beef Wine

This Villa Annaberta Wines Amarone della Valpolicella 2015 was reviewed on February 11, 2021 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2017 2012 2013 2020 2010

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
433961
$39.95
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Carolyn Hetke rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Another Villa Annaberta wine crafted with approachability and sustainability in mind. This lovely, rich, supple Amarone is the reward of attention to detail at every step in the process - from the grapes grown at 400 meters altitude to the hand harvesting and strict grape selection to the 500 meter high state of the art drying facility. Fermentation takes place over 30 days or so in a cool, temperature controlled environment. Follow that up with 24 months in barrique or tonneau and you get a fresh, concentrated wine. Smooth and full-bodied with layers of plum, dried cherry, hints of leather and sweet hay. The elegance and concentration here, along with a long, satisfying finish belie the entry level price for this Amarone. This wine makes me want to head to the kitchen to check on the ingredients for short ribs, lamb shanks or ossobuco. Tasted November 2020. www.thewineloverskitchen.com
**

This Amarone is elegance in a glass. A gentle nose with plum, hints of raisin and ever so restrained warm, sweet hay. The palate is actually fresh and clean with dark plums and very fine tannins adding texture. Full bodied and smooth and beautifully balanced. The delights on the nose and palate wind up with a long, lingering finish. This was a beautiful companion to Venetian Duck Ragu and Bigoli. Tasted August 2020. www.thewineloverskitchen.com

Colin McKone - Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Ruby in colour with a garnet hue and aromas of black cherry, leather, plum, vanilla and black pepper. It is full bodied with mouthwatering acidity and well balanced tannins. On the palate you are rewarded with flavours of tart cherry, plum, blackberry and dark chocolate. This will pair well with your next steak or with old strong cheese. A great amarone to treat yourself with. Tasted on August 23, 2020.

Christian Marcoux rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Refined and delightful, the Amarone Della Valpolicella 2015, from Villa Annaberta, reveals a bouquet of fig, black raisin, rose, ash, molasses, spice and cigar. Smooth, but intense and full-bodied, this wine exemplifies a well made Amarone. Sleek tannins, well-layered acidity and an opulent finish, this succulent Italian pleases sip after sip. Palate: date, plum, black tea, new leather, brown sugar and cigar. Enjoy!

David Skinner rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Deep ruby in colour. Fig, black cherry, plum and leather aromas. Full bodied and silky with medium tannins and food friendly acidity compliment the cherry and black fruit flavors accented by earthy tones of leather and cocoa. A lengthy finish.

Enjoy with beef or ribs.

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Beautifully concentrated flavours. Aromas of raisin, dried herbs, tobacco, campfire smoke and a hint of vanilla. Full bodied, smooth and luxurious with some soft tannins, and bright acidity. Fruit flavours are ripe and concentrated on the palate, with hints of graphite, smoke and vanilla on a lengthy finish. Enjoy with Sunday roast beef.

Gwen Barton rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

The aromas of this wine opened up nicely over time with noticeable dark berry, forest flowers and tobacco. In the mouth I found dark ripe berries, couched in notes mocha fudge and fig. Mellow tannins with nice acidity resulting in a well-balanced tasting experience. Paired with artisan cheese and charcuterie- delish! Tasted August 2020

Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

A ruby red colour embraced by a garnet brick hue. The bouquet reveals dark cherries, trail mix, smoky earthy spice and keen stony minerals. Flavours open up with mouthwatering fresh bing cherry, cooked raspberries, toast, burnt sugar, hickory, cinnamon and lingering peppery heat. Awesomely well balanced, with a full body and chewy, flavourful tannins. Revisited in the glass 1.5 hours later and there was a desirable marshmallow, vanilla note also present. Great value for this versatile Amarone $38.95. A wonderful accompaniment with sharp old cheeses and smoked salty meats on a board of charcuterie! For a good meal match, try with a flavourful osso bucco and herbed polenta. Enjoy! tasted August 2020

Melanie Lloyd - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

On the nose, ripe strawberry and cherry notes, violet, decomposing autumn leaves, dark brown sugar, earthy beets, leather, baking spice, cocoa, vanilla bean, menthol and black pepper.

Full bodied on the palate with smooth tannins. Black cherry and plum flavours with dark roasted cocoa notes and wood smoke seeping through. The flavours linger. Pair with barbecued steak.

Tasted Aug 2020

Andrew Bernardo rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

The 2015 Amarone is glossy and high-toned, with lots of red berry fruit, juicy bing cherry and flowers. There’s sweet earth, fresh herbs and caramel on the midpalate, and a finish dominated by smoke, camphor and candies purple flowers. It’s a real treat. Decant 1 hour before serving. 91 Points.

Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright CWM rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A licorice, dark chocolate, cherry and truffle explosion. Full of fruit, hinting on the prune and raisin characters, with a pleasantly lighter finish than can often be expected from an Amarone. Don't be afraid of the 15% alcohol; it is balanced, and concentrated. Complex and aromatic. A wine that will age for 20 years - if you can wait that long, and will still deliver harmonious notes of blackberries, Craisins and roast beef. Enjoy with rich, ripe, gorgonzola, dried fig crackers and salty black olives @wrightwineblog

Lynn van der Linde - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A beautifully classic expression of Amarone.
Heady aromas of prunes, blackberries, leather, violets and a hint of eucalyptus translate into a velvety black plum and cherry flavours with a spicy finish.
Pair with grilled tenderloin or beet salads.
Enjoy now or rest for five to 7 more years.
Tasted August 2020.

Craig Haynes - WSET3 FWS SWS IWS rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Wait a few minutes between sips of this enticing red and your patience will be rewarded. Dark concentrated berry and cherry flavours framed with spice and smokey notes became more expressive and nuanced the longer this wine occupied my glass. Firm, velvety tannins helped to create an elegant structure for this full bodied Amarone that continued on through the lengthy finish. This is a pleasing offering from Villa Annaberta. Enjoy.

Reviewed on August 15, 2020

Lori Kilmartin WSET3 - WSET3 Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

The “Annaberta” wines are dedicated to the Winery owner Diego Cottini’s wife. The winery , north of Verona, is comprised of 140 ha with grapes also coming from growers with an additional 240 ha. All growers must adhere to a strict quality protocol which ensures continuity and consistent wines.

Considering you can spend a lot of money on an Amarone – this is a good value wine ($38.95) and would make a great staple in your cellar. Deep ruby in colour with typical aromas of dried fruit and spice; cooked plums, dried cherries, leather and cocoa. Full body with lots of alcohol – 15% and residual sugar of 13 g/l. Smooth tannins and acidity. Flavours of blackberry and dark plum with a long fruit and alcohol finish.

The tasting with this wine featured predominantly vegetarian fare. The beyond meat sausage really amped up the spice in both the food and the wine. Tasted August 2020.

Rebecca Meir-Liebman - Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Full bodied, lush and rich; lots of prunes, blackberries, red cherries, figs, and smokiness, with a touch of mocha on the finish. These flavours call for a nice piece of grilled striploin with a rich peppery sauce. It’s a balance between dried fruit intensity versus acidity, making it a great wine to enjoy with food but also by itself.
This Amarone benefits from sitting in a decanter for an hour or two before enjoying - it brings out the right balances in flavour. I also found that the wine tastes even better the day after opening the bottle. It's hard to find a quality Amarone for under $40 but this is definitely one of them.

Greg Hughes rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

A plush, generous, velvety wine from Villa Annaberta (Cottini Vini). It is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella. These wines balance their high alcohol effortlessly, so do not be afraid. It adds texture and oomph.
The colour is a pretty and developed ruby/garnet. It's mature and ready to go now, but it will be drinking nicely for at least another five years.
Soft, brooding aromas of stewed plums, christmas cake, lavender, violet, charcoal, blackberry coulis, graphite, cherry, worn leather, and cola.
The palate is rich. Cherry sauce, blackberry, warm Christmas spices, and chocolate.
These can be intellectual wines to sit and discuss with friends, but if that isn t your speed they tend to be crowdpleasers. They rich and satisfying. An ideal pairing would be braised rabbit with mustard and fennel, but I won't say no to pizza or bbq with wines of this quality.

Pamela Chiles rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Lovely, voluptuous Amarone at a great price point! This one had all the juicy-steak-lovers in my "bubble" gushing with adoration! Velvety, plummy, dark jammy berry, soft spice, silky tannins and just a splash of piquant acidity. Not quite a Ferrari, but a fab open-top Alpha Romeo nonetheless! Tasted August 2020

Molly Amoli Shinhat reviewed this wine as follows:

Amarone is a wine that harks back to wine’s imagined origin story: someone forgets grapes in a container; eventually they ferment; someone finds and tastes the wine, adores it - and wine is born! Except in this case, the wine begins with dried grapes.

On average, they’re dried 120 days before fermentation. As they loose 30-40% of their water, all the sugars and flavours become more concentrated.

This 2015 Villa Annaberta Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG is the latest in a long line of muscle-bound, bold, fine red Italian wines. It envelops the nose in violets, roses, black and red plums, black pepper, currants, vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, fig and raisins, with a soupçon of eucalyptus.

On the palate, pronounced dark fruit (currants, black cherry, blackberry), strawberry, vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper, are joined by raisins and dark chocolate. It’s a tannic, high acidity wine that finishes long. If you’re wondering about the 15% a.b.v., please don’t - it’s seamlessly integrated.

Along with appropriate Italian fare including pizza, this wine pairs brilliantly with rich, spicy, bold dishes, particularly meat-based, stews, or with aged, strong cheeses. In pandemic times, wine and food stand as a humbling, simple, and profound pleasure we still can appreciate every day. Why not experiment a little…or a lot?

If you’re game, this Amarone makes a great candidate: pair it with a meat-based Indian dish (think beef, chicken, goat or egg-based), but it must be something rich, spicy, and heavy. (Spicy yes, but not so hot that you can no longer taste anything at all (likely no Vindaloos please).)

Like any experiment, it may/may not work - it all depends on how the food is prepared and individual preference. If all seems lost, you can always head on back to more traditional choices (mature cheese, fruit) with the rest of the bottle. And have an extra glass! After taking a safe jaunt off the beaten path, you’ve earned it!

If you liked the Villa Annaberta Wines Amarone della Valpolicella 2015, you might also like these wines:

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Villa Annaberta Wines Amarone della Valpolicella 2015

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Marqués de Murrieta Red Wine
2019,
Rioja D.O.C.A. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 335,110 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 335,110 strong:

Villa Annaberta Wines Amarone della Valpolicella 2015 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Pricing & Stock Information