99 Robert Parker
The outrageous 1997 Amarone (17.5% alcohol) was aged 28 months in 100% new French oak. An inky/purple color is followed by sumptuous aromas of blueberry liqueur intermixed with truffle, graphite, camphor, and vanilla scents. This remarkable offering is immensely full-bodied and super-concentrated, with great purity, symmetry, and length. It is the stuff of legends! How long will it last? Who knows? Certainly this wine is capable of evolving for 15-20 years.
99 Robert Parker
The outrageous 1997 Amarone (17.5% alcohol) was aged 28 months in 100% new French oak. An inky/purple color is followed by sumptuous aromas of blueberry liqueur intermixed with truffle, graphite, camphor, and vanilla scents. This remarkable offering is immensely full-bodied and super-concentrated, with great purity, symmetry, and length. It is the stuff of legends! How long will it last? Who knows? Certainly this wine is capable of evolving for 15-20 years.
96 Vinous
The 1997 Amarone della Valpolicella is impenetrably dark in color with an intoxicating and exotic bouquet, as Chinese five spice and dried flowers blossom into a dusting of cocoa, cloves, allspice and pomegranates. There’s simply so much going on here and a ridiculous amount of depth. This is silky-smooth and elegant, yet it colors within the lines of balance, even as masses of ripe red and black fruits settle upon the senses under an air of inner rose. I can’t believe how remarkably fresh and youthful this is at twenty-four years old. There’s a pleasant inner sweetness even as this comes across as perfectly dry. The finish goes on for well over a minute, taking on an almost-Amaro bitterness, and leaves the palate feeling completely fresh. The 1997 is a perfect example of the aging potential of Amarone. Wow. This was a very hot vintage in the Veneto; and as a result, the abv here is at 17.5%, but good luck finding any alcohol-derived heat in this wine.
96 James Suckling
This shows so much fruit with licorice and graphite undertones. Full and round with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. A great wine. Drink now.
96 Vinous
The 1997 Amarone della Valpolicella is impenetrably dark in color with an intoxicating and exotic bouquet, as Chinese five spice and dried flowers blossom into a dusting of cocoa, cloves, allspice and pomegranates. There’s simply so much going on here and a ridiculous amount of depth. This is silky-smooth and elegant, yet it colors within the lines of balance, even as masses of ripe red and black fruits settle upon the senses under an air of inner rose. I can’t believe how remarkably fresh and youthful this is at twenty-four years old. There’s a pleasant inner sweetness even as this comes across as perfectly dry. The finish goes on for well over a minute, taking on an almost-Amaro bitterness, and leaves the palate feeling completely fresh. The 1997 is a perfect example of the aging potential of Amarone. Wow. This was a very hot vintage in the Veneto; and as a result, the abv here is at 17.5%, but good luck finding any alcohol-derived heat in this wine.
95 Wine Spectator
Dark color. Superpowerful aromas of dark chocolate, blackberry jam and spices from cloves to cinnamon. Full-bodied, with ultravelvety tannins. This juicy and superfruity, with beautiful balance and length. Youthful and beautiful. Classy wine.--1997 Italian blind retrospective. Best after 2010. 660 cases made. ?JS
95 Wine Spectator
Dark color. Superpowerful aromas of dark chocolate, blackberry jam and spices from cloves to cinnamon. Full-bodied, with ultravelvety tannins. This juicy and superfruity, with beautiful balance and length. Youthful and beautiful. Classy wine.--1997 Italian blind retrospective. Best after 2010. 660 cases made. ?JS
