At 16 years from vintage, expect concentrated dried cherry, fig, raisin, dark chocolate, espresso, leather, dried herb, balsamic, and integrated oak with full body and structured but softening tannins. Dal Forno's house style is among the most concentrated of any Amarone producer.
- Varietal
- Corvina-dominant Amarone della Valpolicella blend (Dal Forno's signature blend includes Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta, and Croatina)
- Region
- Italy / Veneto / Valpolicella
- Body
- Full
- Style
- dry red, opulent, structured, age-worthy, iconic, modern Amarone
The producer
Romano Dal Forno is one of Italy's most acclaimed and iconoclastic producers, founded in 1983. Dal Forno transformed his approach after consulting with Giuseppe Quintarelli (the legendary Amarone master) and produces wines in tiny quantities with extreme concentration and very long aging — typically 5–6 years in oak before release. The Monte Lodoletta is the estate's flagship.
What critics say
Dal Forno's Amarones consistently receive scores in the high-90s and occasional 100-point scores from major critics. Widely cited among Italy's most prestigious and collected wines, with strong secondary-market value.
Pairing
Slow-braised short rib, lamb shank, hard aged cheeses, mushroom-forward dishes