Guerrieri Rizzardi 2016 “Calcarole” Amarone DOCG

PRODUCER INFO

• Guerrieri-Rizzardi, the historic house in Veneto, dates back to the unification of two ancient estates in 1913, when Carlo Rizzardi from Valpolicella, married Guiseppina Guerrieri of Bardolino.
• The new winery is completely solar powered, combining the best that technology offers in a carbon neutral way with vineyards that have been in the family for centuries.
• With the energy of the new younger generation in the family, Guerrieri-Rizzardi has experienced a renaissance of sorts over the last twenty years and is known throughout Europe as one of the finest, most classical producers in the region, with wines built on tension and “cut.”

ABOUT THE WINE

• Calcarole, basically a giant limestone rock with vines atop it, is a “cru” above the Villa di Rovereti in the heart of Negrar in the Valpolicella Classico Area – It is an unusually warm site for the region, with southwestern exposure, and unquestionably one of the most revered vineyards in the DOC.
• This is such an unusually warm site for the region that Barbera and Sangiovese thrive here, and they contribute needed freshness to the finished wine.
• The 2009 vintage of this was the first Amarone to be awarded “Best Wine of the Year” by Gambero Rosso, which is a big deal and the Italian cultural equivalent here of a film winning “Best Picture.”
• Grapes were dried at the winery for 3.5 months in small boxes (6-8 bunches per box), and the wine is cellared three years post fermentation in a combination of new and used large barrels (mostly used).
• Many producers craft their Amarone to be “meditative,” i.e. something to drink and think about after dinner – Rizzardi crafts this Amarone as something to enjoy with dinner.
• “Tre Bicchieri,” Gambero Rosso for the current vintage and for 9 out of the last 11 vintages as well.

Vintage: 2016 | Wine Type: Red Wine
Varietal: 70% Corvina / 10% Rondinella / 10% Barbera / 7% Sangiovese / 3% Corvinone
Origin: Italy | Appellation: Valpolicella DOCG
Elaboration:  Hand picked. Made from 100% dried grapes, that have been raisened in a drying room for 3.5 months. Long, slow fermentation of one month followed by malolactic fermentation in oak. 12 months in 5 hl oak barrels and then 24 months in 25 hl oak barrels.
Winemaker: Giuseppe Rizzardi

TASTING NOTES

Elegant in style, Calcarole is an Amarone which balances power and concentration against freshness and purity of intense fruit. The 2016 is already inviting and drinking nicely, but with layers and depth this will develop for years. A top vintage for Calcarole. Pairs with roast venison or duck, richer vegetarian dishes, beef stroganoff, aged Grana Padano, Monte Veronese, or Pienza pecorino.

TECHNICAL DATA

Production: 6,456 bottles | Alcohol: 17% | TA: 6.55 g/l  | Residual Sugar: 6.4 g/l  | pH: 3.48

PRESS & POINTS

2016 – 96 Points, Vinous
2015 – 93 Points, Falstaff
2013 – 95 Points, Falstaff
2011 – 93 Points, Decanter Magazine
2011 – 94+ Points, Vinous