Giusti Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2017

Drink now or cellar for up to 20 years. No need to decant before serving.

Although the Giusti winery was founded just over 20 years ago, the namesake family have been making wine here in Treviso since the 1600s. The origins of the modern estate date back to 2004 when Ermenegildo Giusti bought 2 hectares of the prized Dal Col vineyard which was planted in 1945. Today the property has around 100 hectares of land split between 10 different estates which includes around 14% of the total land in Italy’s Prosecco appellation.

This magnificent Amarone is proof that the family are just as adept at making powerful complex red wines as they are at exuberant sparkling wines. Fruit is sourced from prime vineyards in the Valpolicella Classico region which sit at an altitude of 150 to 200 metres on excellent calcareous soils. In early October the fruit is harvested by hand with only the best bunches selected and placed in small crates where they’re left to dry out over winter. This helps concentrate the flavours and sugars when the fruit is later vinified.

The final stage is to age the young wine in 500 litre barrels for 24-28 months followed by another 12 months in the bottle. This helps integrate all the components and smooth out the firm tannins and punchy flavours. The result is a powerful Amarone that’s ideal for further cellaring or enjoying now alongside hearty red meat and game dishes.