Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Ca’ Florian 2012 (94 VM)

“The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Ca’ Florian holds nothing back, exploding from the glass with a massive wave of medicinal blackberries and cherries dipped in dark chocolate, complemented by autumnal and balsamic spices. It’s weighty and dense in the mouth, showing amazing concentration and persistence, as a more savory display of tart wild berries mixes with sour citrus. Throughout this heady display, a core of zesty acids maintains balance. You don’t feel it until the very end, but there’s a coating of fine wood tannin that is only revealed as the Ca’ Florian’s glycerol-textured fruits slowly fade. Open the 2012 now for all of its upfront appeal, or cellar it to explore its unseen depths – either way, it’s quite a wine.”