Tommasi
De Buris Amarone Riserva 2011
Valpolicella Classico Superiore
De Buris comes from the fourth generation of the Tommasi family, conceived as an Amarone Riserva and their most personal statement on the Valpolicella Classica. The wine comes from La Groletta, a recognized cru at 250 meters above sea level, where the cooling influence of Lake Garda and the austerity of the Lessini Mountains shape a microclimate of real distinction. Soils are lean, calcareous, and mineral-rich, driving concentration deep into the fruit before harvest even begins.
The winemaking is led by Giancarlo Tommasi, who brings both technical mastery and a deep understanding of the land. The process is unhurried: selection, drying, fermentation, extended aging, and patient blending. The result is an Amarone that honors the tradition of the territory while reflecting the ambitions of a new generation.
VINEYARD
La Groletta is a 10-hectare site in the commune of Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella, with fruit selected from 1.9 hectares of the parcel and approximately 0.5 hectares of the La Groletta cru. Situated at 250 meters above sea level with a southwest exposure toward Lake Garda, the vineyard benefits from exceptional light and a distinctive terroir. Soils are clayey and calcareous, of medium texture and moderately stony, with a pH of 7 to 7.5. Rich in limestone, potassium, and calcium, with low concentrations of magnesium and iron, the soils are lean and low in organic matter, driving the vines to produce concentrated, characterful fruit. Vines are trained to Guyot at a density of 6,500 per hectare, averaging 30 years of age, with yields held to 6,000 kilos per hectare.
WINEMAKING
After hand selecting bunches that dried on bamboo mats for 110 days, the grapes were pressed in January, followed by brief cryomaceration, lasting around 10 days. A slow fermentation then took place for 30 days in oak vats, using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation was carried out once during the first year of aging in Slavonian oak casks. The wine continued its maturation for 5 years in 15-30hl casks in the ancient cellar of Villa De Buris, where it also underwent bottle-aging.
VINTAGE
The vintage began with a slow and cool spring, where rains delayed the awakening of the vines and challenged the vineyards. In the western hills, and particularly in the historic La Groletta vineyard, the constant breezes protected the vines and safeguarded their health. Summer brought perfect balance, with warm, luminous days and cool nights that shaped the grapes with intensity and aromatic finesse. The harvest, which started in early September, yielded fewer bunches but of remarkable concentration, giving life to a wine of rare harmony and depth.
TASTING NOTE
Classic richness of Amarone: ripe cherry, black plum and dried fig; notes of spice, licorice tobacco and hints of balsamic on a long, lingering finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Braised short rib, lamb shank, aged hard cheeses, wild boar, truffle dishes, mushroom risotto
Color
Red
Blend %
65% Corvina, 24% Corvinone, 6% Oseleta, 5% Rondinella
Appellation
Valpolicella Classico Superiore
Farming
SUSTAINABLE
Alcohol
15.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$373.99
Reviews
Vinous - September 1, 2025 "Darker and richer than the 2013 placed beside it, the 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella de Buris smolders with depths of crushed black cherries, cocoa powder, blood orange and sweet pipe tobacco. It is seductively silken, nearly fleshy in feel, with masses of tart red berry fruit and zesty acidity to balance. Opulent yet expertly balanced, the 2011 finishes with dramatic length, leaving a web of fine-grained tannins and a bite of sour citrus. Beautifully done."
Wine Spectator - March 22, 2023
James Suckling - August 11, 2022
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
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