Az. Agr. di Graziano Prá Prá Amarone della Valpolicella 2017 750ml

Dusty and perfumed, the 2018 Amarone della Valpolicella Morandina lights up the senses with a cascade of dried roses, orange zest, cocoa powder and black cherries. It is silky smooth with a sour citrus tinge to balance as a polished wave of mineral-laced wildberry fruits sweeps across the palate. Lightly tannic and intense, this wine leaves a tart blackberry saturation and chewy grip as hints of lavender resonate. Patience will be required.

An Amarone in a fresher, more elegant style, with flavors of plumped black cherry and fig cake animated by plum skin acidity and layered with an overtone of fragrant black tea, plus hints of dark chocolate, roasted vanilla, minerally tar, iron and leather. Structured by fine, taut tannins, this finds an appealing place between being sweet and savory in profile, offering harmonious integration and length. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta. Drink now through 2040.—

A chewy red enlivened by a tang of balsamico acidity, delivering dried cranberry and raspberry fruit, mace and orange zest flavors underscored by hints of cured tobacco, smoke and fresh earth. Sleek and sculpted, with a lingering, aromatic finish. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta. Drink now through 2034. 830 cases made. (Alison Napjus)