La Fabriseria Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2011

-- Parker: This is a bruiser of a wine—but in a very good way. Loud and expressive and with a roundhouse 17% alcohol kick, the 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva la Fabriseria throws out several different shades of smoke and spice within its thick quality of fruit. Super rich and full-bodied, you'll appreciate its bold character of toasted espresso bean and oak, presented alongside cola and cherry liqueur. The wine is like a gregarious but cuddly friend who is built like a tank and doesn't register his own strength. The blend is 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella and 5% Oseleta, all coming from the La Fabriseria vineyard located between San Giorgio di Valpolicella and Mazzurega in the Sant'Ambrogio valley, with vines at 500 meters above sea level. The grapes are dried for four months in a ventilated room. Since its birth, this wine has only been produced in the following vintages: 1983, 1988, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2007 and 2011. Starting with this 2011 vintage, the wine now carries the Riserva designation. You won't find many Amarones quite like this one, especially as only 2,500 bottles of this vintage were made. 96/100