1986 Bertani Amarone Recioto della Valpolicella

This historic firm was founded in 1857 at Quinto di Valpentena by brothers Giovanbattista and Gaetano Bertani. This Recioto, among the world longest-lived wines, owes its strength and power from the same method used to make the dry Amarone (grapes picked at optimal ripeness and dried on straw mats in special outbuildings, then pressed and fermented). In this case, however, the resulting wine stops its fermentation early thereby preserving its sweetness. At the table it acts like your finest vintage port, though with less brut alcoholic strength and a more pronounced fruitcake/raisin aroma.

Tasting Notes - Intense red color with hints of garnet. On the nose, typical notes of plum, cherry and Morello cherry followed by tea leaves, licorice and spices. On the palate, notes of red berry fruit sweetened by soft notes of spices, in perfect balance with acidity.