2018 Rubinelli Vajol Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Rubinelli Vajol is the new superstar. The wine is authentic and not as sweetened as is often attempted. James Sucking writes in his report on Valpolicella: " Rubinelli Vajol Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2019, which comes from a producer that is arguably the new superstar of the style. " And from WineMag 2023, Rubinelli Vajol receives the highest recognition: Italian Winery of the Year 2023.

The vineyards of the Italian winery Rubinelli Vajol are located in the heart of Valpolicella in the renowned Veneto region. Ten hectares of vineyards in a single plot define the "Cru VAJOL." With its five classic Valpolicella wines, the Rubinelli family is the sole producer. With its charming country house, cellars, the village of Vajol, and landscape covered with vineyards bordered by brick walls and sweetly adorned with olive trees, cherry blossoms, and almond trees, the Rubinelli Vajol winery captures the very essence of Valpolicella's classic beauty. The sublime wines of this winery hold a sweet secret: the grapes were stored for a time in the heart of Valpolicella, where they ripen slowly and peacefully in the valley, kissed by the sun and protected by the rolling hills.

The selected grapes are aged and dried in baskets for four months, after which they are fermented at a controlled temperature between January and February. 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. Rubinelli produces authentic amarones with a beautiful freshness, dominated by fruit, not sugar.

In the glass, the Rubinelli Vajol Amarone della Valpolicella Classico has a crimson color with bright, intense ruby reflections. The nose offers an immediate explosion of cherry, sour cherry, ripe red fruit, blueberry, undergrowth, orange peel, and flowers interwoven with elegant aromatic herbs, tobacco, dark chocolate, coffee, licorice, and pepper. After some time in the glass, the aromas evolve towards oriental spices. On the palate, the wine is perfectly balanced and rewards the palate with velvety warmth. Full-bodied yet supported by freshness and fine tannins, a distinction not many Amarones can boast. Fruit and spice reappear repeatedly. The finish is well-balanced with intriguing mineral notes.

The Rubinelli Vajol Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a wine to savor, almost meditative. It is produced only in the best years, and all bottles are numbered. It is undoubtedly excellent with stews such as 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. The Rubinelli Amarone is as a good Amarone should be. No excess of sugar, but elegant fruit. Suckling also notes this in his review (94/100): ".....As always, this is an elegant Amarone..." Parker writes: "In fact, this Amarone is more tapered and streamlined than most."

Rubinelli Vajol's Amarone is made from the typical Amarone grape varieties: 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella, 5% Molinara, and 5% Oseleta. Rubinelli's Grand Cru vineyards are located in the Vajol region, among the most beautiful in Veneto. The winery occupies a unique position in the Vajol region because all its vineyards are situated around the winery (unlike many others (read: most), 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 Alpine mountain range. 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 fully express, both in their aroma and on the palate, 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.

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 also receive a nice discount.