2013 CA ‘LA Bionda Amarone Classico Vigneti di Ravazzol Riserva

2013 CA ‘LA Bionda Amarone Classico Vigneti di Ravazzol Riserva

2013 CA ‘LA Bionda Amarone Classico Vigneti di Ravazzol Riserva Bright elegant ruby red. Fine-smelling nose of ripe plums, rich Amarena cherries, coffee grounds and chocolate in the aftertaste, very complex. The palate is distinctly salty and juicy, excellently balanced between tannin and acidity, lively from start to finish, still young with great ageing potential.

Chocolate orange, black cherry and lemon pie on the nose, the palate is extraordinary, intense and full, spicy, morello cherry, fig and date, laced with salty dark chocolate.

”You feel these results thanks to the dark and intense primary fruit that appears with more freshness here. However, the wine also gracefully demonstrates its age, thanks to elegantly mature aromas of spice, tar, leather and powdered licorice. The vines are planted in limestone soils on southeast-facing terraces”. 

Ca La Bionda is one of the best producers of Amarone, alongside the likes of Quintarelli and Dal Forno. The domain was founded in 1902 by Pietro Castellani, and completely renovated and taken to a higher level by the extremely talented and very dedicated visionary Alessandro Castellani and his brother Nicola, together the fourth generation of Ca’ La Bionda. Allesandro was making wine for the great Isole e Olena in Tuscany and was instrumental in their wines rise to greatness (100pt Scores). Their vineyards are laid in terraces for maximum exposure and their finest vineyard is called Ravazzol which is where this great wine comes from. Amarone’s top wines are their Riserva’s which is aged for a further 2 years prior to release, is only made in great vintages and the absolute cream of what a Winery makes. These wines have more depth, roundness, richness and opulence. This is what Amarone is all about, going through the process of wind drying the grapes for 60 to 90 days prior to press, resulting in wine that huge depth and concentration. The 2013 CA ‘LA Bionda Amarone Classico Vigneti di Ravazzol Riserva is a spectacular example of the absolute finest Amarone. The wine also won Tre Bicchieri which is a huge honor. Only the finest wines in Italy get to compete for Gambero Rosso’s Tre Bicchieri (Three Glass) award and less than one half of 1% get to the award. It is also very important to note that you compete against other wines are in the same class as you. So this wine beat out all the other great Amarone to win the award!  Experience the greatness of a Quintarelli or  Dal Forno without the $400 plus price tag. This wine blew me away and after doing this for some 30 years, that’s pretty hard to do. Please Enjoy!!