Tenuta Sant’Antonio, Amarone Della Valpolicella DOCG (Veneto, Italy) 2018

 The Sant’Antonio winery was established in 1989 when the four Castagnedi brothers, Armando, Massimo, Paolo, and Tiziano, had the opportunity to buy a farm in Monti Garbi in the Valpolicella region in Veneto in northeast Italy.  The grapes for this Amarone, 70% Corvina/Corinone, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina, and 5% Oseleta were the first grapes of the season to be harvested, which means the sugar levels were lower and the alcohol content  not as high.  The grapes are dried, a process called appassimento, three months before fermentation, then fermented and aged two years in new 500-liter French oak casks, and aged eight months in bottle.  It is a powerful wine with aromas and flavors of very ripe black cherry, blackberry fruit, with dried figs, dark chocolate and vanilla.  The intense fruit flavors and nine grams of residual sugar are supported by crisp, citrusy acidity and chewy dusty tannins.  Serve it with full flavored meats like braised beef, grilled lamb or barbequed beef with a rich, savory sauce.