Speri’s Sant’Urbano comes from hillside vineyards at Fumane, with grapes dried before fermentation to concentrate their character. The 2017 offers cherry, floral perfume and cinnamon in a broad, layered palate. Juicy tannins provide definition, giving this full-bodied Amarone depth without reducing it to sweetness or weight alone.
- Varietal
- Corvina-led blend with Rondinella and other local varieties
- Region
- Italy / Veneto / Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG / Fumane
- Body
- Full
- Style
- Dry red; concentrated cherry and spice; broad texture; layered tannins
The producer
Speri’s first Amarone bottles reached market in the late 1950s, and the family makes Sant’Urbano from its Fumane hillside estate. Native grapes are dried before fermentation, following the appassimento tradition that distinguishes Amarone’s concentration and texture from fresh-grape Valpolicella.
What critics say
Falstaff’s Othmar Kiem and Simon Staffler scored Speri’s 2017 Sant’Urbano Amarone 95 points, noting bright ruby color, candied violet, cherry, peach and cinnamon, then juicy tannins, layered fruit and structure, and a long development suggesting excellent ageing.
Pairing
Recommended with: Herbed Rack Of Lamb or Petite Filet Mignon (Gorgonzola cream sauce).