The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Sant'Urbano is dusty and darkly alluring, as dried flowers and incense gives way to nuances of cocoa and, with time in the glass, a vivid note of black cherry. This is texturally deep and savory in style, coming across as almost salty in character, with an intense and saturating core of raspberry and cherry. Exotic spices, dark, dark chocolate and clove develop toward the close. This tapers off long and staining, lightly structured, needing only a short stay in the cellar to come together. Speri did a remarkable job of maintaining balance in such a warm and difficult vintage.
93 points, Eric Guido, Vinous (Apr 2022)
A fresh, lightly exotic nose, offering dates, figs, fresh earth and a hint of toasted coconut. On the palate there’s a fresh, focused bead of ripe and dried fruit, riding equally intense, firm tannins. Long finish. From organically grown grapes. There’s a youthful feel to this. It’s just at the start of a long life. Give it a year or so to settle in. Best from 2023.
93 points, James Suckling (Oct 2021)