99 Da 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 Da 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 Da 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.
95 Da 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
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.