2011 Rubinelli Vajol Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva

The 2011 Amarone is an Amarone Riserva. This wine comes from the famous vintage well-known to Amarone lovers. A barrel from this vintage was preserved in the Rubinelli cellars, and it was bottled in 2024 to showcase the potential of a well-made Amarone. Freshness and strength go hand in hand, something rarely found in the mass-produced Amarones. This is a meditative wine meant to be enjoyed in peace. Unparalleled refinement, and the time spent in the barrel (10 years) makes it incomparably beautiful.

Rubinello Vajol's Amarone is made from the typical Amarone grape varieties: 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella, 5% Molinara, and 5% Oseleta. Rubinello's Grand Cru vineyards are located in the Vajol region, one of the most beautiful in Veneto, also known as the Grand Cru region of Valpolicella. The winery occupies a unique position in the Vajol region because all its vineyards surround it. This contrasts with many other (read: most) vineyards, which have plots throughout the region. Commercial Amarone wineries often don't own their own vineyards and purchase most of them.

All grapes come exclusively from the fields around Corte Sant'Anna, giving the wine a special uniqueness and making it unmistakably: wine born on tuff. This area was once the sea—imagine a sunny bay. The soil consists of marl formed between the Mesozoic era (150 million years ago) and the Tertiary era (60 million years ago), followed by the formation of the Alps. The soil is very calcareous, ideal for moderating the vines' natural growth. Limestone also has spongy properties: its ability to retain water for long periods, allowing it to pass through only when the plants need it. This keeps the grapes well-hydrated. The soil is thin yet rich in organic matter, allowing the vines to thrive in perfect nutritional balance. This harmony is reflected in the quality of the wines, which are always elegant and a full expression, both in their aroma and on the palate, of their rich polyphenolic diversity. Rubinelli Vajol wines are born in the soil before they even reach the cellar; they are gifts of nature and the formation of the land structures in the Conca del Vajol.

The selected grapes are aged/dried in baskets for four months, after which they are fermented between January and February at a controlled temperature. Rubinelli then allows the wine to mature in large oak barrels for a minimum of 36 months, followed by two years of bottle aging before releasing this premium amarone. The Riserva is aged for a much longer period. Rubinelli produces authentic amarones with a beautiful freshness, dominated by fruit rather than sugar. This Riserva has been aged for a total of 10 years. It is a well-structured wine supported by good acidity. In the glass, it has a beautiful, sparkling ruby red color. The nose offers beautiful notes of candied fruit, prunes, and dried apricots. It also has hints of spice, leather, black pepper, and cedar. The wine is spicy and beautifully layered. On the palate, it is velvety smooth, balanced, and elegant. This is incomparable with commercial Amarones which often have (too) much residual sugar and lack sufficient acidity.

This is a wine to savor and almost meditative. Without a doubt, it pairs excellently with stews like Italian brasato (roasted meat braised in red wine), but generally pairs well with dishes with high aromatic value. We recommend opening the bottle some time (2 hours) before serving or decanting.

FACT: In the "Tab: Attachment" you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located almost next to the Rijksweg with ample parking. Click here for our address.