Tommasi : Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020 Tommasi

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep ruby red with garnet highlights.

Nose

Intense and very refined, the nose reveals notes of ripe cherry and plum, accompanied by dried fruits and spicy nuances.

Palate

Complex and velvety, the palate stands out for its full-bodied structure and supple tannins. The finish lingers with beautiful persistence.

Food and wine pairings

This Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020 pairs perfectly with red meats and game. It also goes very well with aged cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

To fully appreciate the Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of 18°C.

An elegant Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico from Veneto

The estate

Founded in 1902 by Giacomo Tommasi with the acquisition of the Rafaèl vineyard in Pedemonte, Tommasi Family Estates now spans more than 800 hectares across seven Italian regions. Run by the fourth generation of the family—notably Giancarlo Tommasi as oenologist and Pierangelo Tommasi as executive director—the estate stands out for its full ownership of its vineyards and its commitment to traditional winemaking methods that emphasize elegance and balance. Amarone, produced since 1959, is the house’s flagship wine and has driven its international reach in more than 85 countries.

The vineyard

This Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico comes exclusively from Tommasi’s two most prestigious vineyards in the Classico area: La Groletta and Conca d'Oro. The La Groletta vineyard, located on the Grola hill at 250 meters above sea level with a southwest exposure, benefits from glacial-origin soils rich in limestone and fossil deposits, providing excellent drainage. Conca d'Oro features terraced soils containing significant fossil deposits and active limestone. These vineyards enjoy ideal microclimatic conditions thanks to cool currents descending from the Lessini Mountains and temperate breezes rising from Lake Garda.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Valpolicella was marked by significant climatic contrasts. After budbreak in line with historical averages in early April and early flowering at the end of May, encouraged by high temperatures, the summer alternated between intense heat in July and abundant rainfall thereafter. Veraison began in early August, followed by a return to cooler, windier conditions that helped preserve the grapes’ acidity. Harvest started in mid-September, a few days earlier than the historical average, under cool and windy conditions. Despite the complexity of the growing cycle, the grapes reached optimal ripeness with high levels of polyphenols and acidity.

Winemaking and aging

The best bunches are selected by hand and then subjected to the traditional appassimento process. The grapes are laid out on bamboo racks in the fruttaio, where they dry for about three months, losing approximately 50% of their weight. Fermentation of the Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020 takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks for 20 to 25 days at controlled temperatures between 25 and 30°C. This wine from Veneto is then aged for three years in 35- and 65-hectoliter Slavonian oak casks, followed by an additional year in bottle before release.

Grape varieties

Corvina veronese (50%), corvinone (30%), rondinella (15%), oseleta (5%).