Ratings & Tasting Notes:
92 points Decanter
Review Date: 09/2022
With some rain in July, but then a dry, successful season, the 1995 vintage in Italy is always surprising for both its ability to age and its tension. This Amarone has a fairly reductive character at first, then a restrained earthiness and a plummy character which dominates the nose and palate. The attack is firm, with fierce acidity and condensed tannins. The texture is grainy and dusty, with an austere, sticky and slightly rustic finish. Foursquare, remarkably bony, tense and youthful. (AF)
Cult Wines International Notes:
Cavalliere Giovan Battista Bertani and his brother Gaetano founded Case Vinicole Bertani in 1857, driven by a revolutionary desire to apply professional, scientific winemaking techniques to the ancient traditions of Valpolicella. Located in the heart of the Classico zone at the stunning Villa Novare estate, Bertani became a trailblazer for the region, helping to codify the modern identity of Amarone. Unlike many producers who pivoted toward shorter aging cycles and higher residual sugar to meet modern market demands, Bertani remained fiercely dedicated to an uncompromisingly traditional style. Their Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a masterclass in patience: it undergoes a meticulous natural appassimento drying process on straw mats for several months, followed by a minimum of six to ten years of slow maturation in large, neutral Slavonian oak casks (botti) before it is ever considered for commercial release.
The 1995 growing season is widely celebrated as a classic, benchmark vintage for the Veneto, characterized by an exceptionally balanced climate that yielded fruit of pristine health and high structural integrity. Following a temperate spring, the summer months brought consistent, dry warmth without the scorching heatwaves that can sometimes over-ripen the grapes prematurely. This steady weather allowed native varieties like Corvina and Rondinella to achieve deep, even phenolic maturity while preserving a vital, vibrant core of natural acidity. Autumn brought ideal dry and breezy conditions, which are highly critical for a successful appassimento phase. The harvested grapes dried flawlessly in the fruttaio, concentrating the natural sugars and flavors without any pressure from rot. The resulting 1995 Amarone is a towering achievement, revered for its dry, aristocratic profile, complex notes of dried cherry and tobacco, and a seamless tannic spine that continues to support its elegant evolution.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Outstanding condition.
Please note: The condition of the bottle you will receive is accurately reflected by the one shown in the images.
