Romano Dal Forno, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2016 (1.5L)

"The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella is a sleeping giant, darkly alluring with dried violets, dusty black currants, shaved cedar and lifting hints of mint. This is sleek and cool-toned in feel—lifted yet intense and savory to the core, with masses of mineral-tinged dark red fruits and balsamic tones carried across a core of zesty acidity. The 2016 finishes tannic and long, clamping down hard on the palate and leaving a bitter primary concentration that lingers on and on. This is just a baby today and in need of serious cellaring, yet the potential is off the charts. Marco Dal Forno explains that he considered selling the 2018 before the 2016 to allow it to come fully into focus, which he already did with the 2017." – Vinous

"The Dal Forno Romano 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta has developed nicely over the years to show savory smoky notes and a mineral tone of crushed stone or aspirin. This is a thickly concentrated effort with enormous volume and richness. The wood is elegantly integrated, although the tannins remain astringent. Those still need to be tamed (as much as is possible) with more time in bottle." – Wine Advocate