Copy of HEADSPINNING – Experience One of the World’s Most Distinctive Wines

*indicates pre-arrival

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REVIEWS:

“The wines of Romano Dal Forno prove to be, once again, impossible to duplicate. They show such a high degree of individual personality that they occupy their own school of stylistic expression. In fact, they share very little, if anything, with the rest of vino italiano."

2018 DAL FORNO AMARONE DELLE VALPOLICELLA

94 Points, Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator:  "A gorgeous nose of rosemary, leather, cocoa powder and milled pepper is a fragrant thread winding through this rich red. Dense, fine-grained tannins support flavors of baked black cherry and blackberry paste, loamy earth, graphite and Earl Grey tea leaf. Long and plush, with the detailed profile echoing on the finish. Corvina, Rondinella, Croatina and Oseleta. Drink now through 2038. 2,100 cases made, 375 cases imported."

95 Points, Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast: "Unfolding in a way that captures the attention and imagination at once, this Veneto classic is a wine lover's must. Opening with aromas of blackberry jam, plum preserves, anise, clove and espresso, it might overwhelm at first but give it a second. The palate is rich and layered with flavors that deserve some time to develop. Black cherries, tobacco, vanilla and spice all swirl on the palate into an elegant and refined finish."

2017 DAL FORNO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA

97 Points, Vinous: “With the 2016 still being held for release down the road as it slowly comes into focus today it's the 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta that is being released into the market. This is dark sultry and almost animalistic in nature as crushed fall leaves and earth tones open the experience giving way to masses of macerated black cherries cedar shavings spiced cookies and a lifting hint of camphor. It floods the palate with velvety textures while maintaining fantastic energy as stimulating acidity adds unexpected vibrancy and tart wild berries slowly saturate. While structured the tannins are sweet and the wine remains remarkably fresh almost crunchy as an air of inner rose and balsam herbs slowly fades. Frankly I can't believe the 2017 finished at 16% abv because it is simply so palatable and charming.”

95 Points, Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator: "A dark, brooding red that effortlessly marries a lovely range of kirsch, blackberry paste, dried mint and eucalyptus flavors with fine, sculpted tannins and a rich streak of minerality, showing lots of smoke, fresh earth and iron. This offers concentration and power, revealing even greater detail and expression as it opens in the glass, but at the same time this is an exercise in balance and restraint. Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta and Croatina. Drink now through 2035. 1,350 cases made, 250 cases imported."

2016 DAL FORNO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA

97+ Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:  “The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta takes wine intensity to almost unthinkable levels. That's the magic of this estate, and without a doubt, this wine occupies a category that makes it totally unique on the Italian wine scale. Made with a traditional blend of 60% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Croatina and 10% Oseleta (aged in French and American new oak for two years), the wine feels even richer, bolder and more concentrated in this classic vintage. That general intensity is applied to the tightly wound and firm tannins as well. The alcohol reading is 16.5%. This Amarone hits the market in 2023, but you'd do well to age it for another decade at least. Black fruit, baked plum, tobacco, soy sauce, grilled herb and sweet spice are generously folded into the wine's full-bodied texture.”

96-98 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous: “The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta keeps me at the edge of the glass to take in its darkly alluring bouquet of dusty black currants and dried flowers, with hints of blood orange offset by sweet rose. While currently youthful and understated, it continues to open and deepen with each swirl. This is silky and cool-toned in feel, savory to the core, with a dense wave of mineral-tinged dark red fruits carried across a core of vibrant acidity. Autumnal spices form toward the close. The 2016 is inward and saturating, building in fine tannins that clench the palate through the finale, promising a long, long life. This is a masterpiece in the making, and while already bottled, it will not be released until 2023. Production was again down by 50% in 2016 due to hail.”

2009 DAL FORNO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA

99 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The Dal Forno family considered the idea of releasing their Amarone ten years after the harvest. If that plan had been implemented, this would be the vintage on the market now. The 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is a full and generous expression that delivers thick lines and robust flavors of dried blackberry, camphor ash, exotic cedar wood, licorice and tarry road pavement. This vintage saw average temperatures throughout the growing season with a few hailstorms along the way. Very dry weather led to some mild drought in July and August, with ensuing ripening and concentration of the clusters. I found this monumental wine to be irresistible when I first tasted it five years ago, and I consider it to have improved since then. This is one of the most complete and comprehensive vintages produced at Dal Forno, and it gives us an ample 360-degree view onto the might, brawn and potential of this icon wine from the Veneto. Its evolutionary track shows no sign of slowing down." (9/2019)

2008 DAL FORNO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA

98 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella is compelling. With a little air, the tannins begin to soften, releasing a myriad of intense dark aromas and flavors. Bittersweet chocolate, cloves, violets, plums and blackberry jam cover every inch of the palate in a stunning, headspinning Amarone that captures all of the best qualities of the year. When Romano Dal Forno's wines are on, there is nothing quite like them, and that is certainly the case here. If opened young, the 2008 needs a little air. Actually, a lot of air." (3/2014)

2006 DAL FORNO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA

97+ Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Back in 2006, this estate farmed approximately 25 hectares of vines, and the Valpolicella was just beginning to feel its new celebrity status, thanks to a new generation of vintners (to come after Quintarelli and Dal Forno) showing impressive results. The 2006 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta was born in a vintage that was not easy: It saw hail and above-average rainfall for much of the growing season. This expression opens to an inky dark appearance and heavy aromas of dried fruit, pressed blackberries and sun-dried prunes. There is a slightly sweeter side to this vintage (the residual sugar is up to ten grams per liter), and the mouthfeel offers enormous volume and richness. You get some jammy and raisiny fruit at the back. Like the 1990 vintage also tastes in this retrospective, this bottle from the 2006 vintage was slow to open and felt a bit closed initially. In fact, I gave it 94 points at that time. However, I recently opened a bottle of this same wine that I had in my cellar, and it was just stunning. It showed none of the shyness that I described above. Inspired by that second magical bottle, I went back and adjusted the drinking window and my score to the one you see here." (9/2019)

This is an email ONLY offer! If you would like to take advantage of this offer that is only available until 11:59pm, January 23rd (or until wines sell out) we are asking that you email orders back to me at chris.deas@italianwinemerchants.com, connect with your portfolio manager or mention receipt of this offer if calling the store. All orders are subject to confirmation. IWM is not responsible for typographical errors. Prices are subject to change and are good while supplies last. These prices cannot be applied to previous purchases, gift orders or futures.

All my best,

Chris