Masi, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG (Veneto, Italy) 2017

 Masi’s Costasera Amarone is a big — 15 percent stated alcohol — bold, wintertime wine.  Amarone is made using only dried grapes, in contrast to their CampoFiorin, which leads to a higher finished alcohol and more power.  There is a hint of sweetness in the finish that balances the wine’s intensity.  For all its size, its texture is remarkably refined and suave.  It’s a hefty wine with suave tannins, what some would call a Texas steakhouse wine.