Paolo Cottini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2018

Paolo Cottini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2018 is a powerful, characterful Amarone crafted for those who love deep, intense red wines. This is a classic example of Valpolicella’s appassimento style, where concentration meets elegance, wrapped in velvety richness and firm structure. Sourced from historic Classico zones and made by a fourth-generation winemaking family, it bridges tradition and modern precision in one compelling bottle.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 shows a deep, almost opaque ruby core with garnet reflections at the rim, hinting at both concentration and early complexity. The nose opens with bright red cherries and blackcurrants, then quickly deepens into dark plums, dried figs and raisins, layered with notes of tobacco, cigar box and sweet spices from barrel aging. On the palate, this Amarone is full-bodied and opulent, with richly concentrated dark fruit—black cherry, blackberry and plum—complemented by nuances of dark chocolate, roasted coffee and mocha. The texture is plush and mouth-filling, yet the tannins are firm and well-knit, giving the wine a solid backbone. The 16% alcohol is well integrated, contributing to warmth and length rather than heat. Thanks to its robust structure and depth, it has excellent aging potential; expect it to evolve beautifully over the next 10+ years, gaining more tertiary notes of leather, spice and dried fruit while softening its tannins.

Production
The grapes for this Amarone come from vineyards in the heart of Valpolicella Classico, notably in the Negrar valley at around 580 meters above sea level with a south-west exposure, and in Valgatara at about 250 meters with a south-east exposure. This contrast in altitude and exposition brings together freshness, aromatic lift and ripe fruit intensity. Vines are trained in the traditional pergola system, which protects bunches from excessive sun and ensures good air circulation, and all grapes are meticulously hand-harvested. The blend is 55% Corvina, 35% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella. After harvest, the grapes are traditionally dried (appassimento) for 90–110 days to concentrate sugars, flavours and tannins before being gently pressed. Fermentation follows, and the wine is then aged in barriques for about 30 months, adding layers of spice, toast and structure, before resting a further 8 months in bottle to harmonize before release.

Food & Serving
This is a natural match for rich, hearty dishes that can stand up to its intensity and structure. Think braised beef like boeuf bourguignon, slow-cooked ossobuco, game stews, or a well-marbled ribeye steak grilled or pan-seared. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or mature pecorino. Serve at 16–18°C; if the wine is young or just opened, a decant of 1–2 hours helps it unfold its full aromatic complexity and soften the tannins, especially if you’re serving it alongside substantial meat dishes.

Producer
The Paolo Cottini estate is a relatively young label, founded in 2010 by husband-and-wife team Paolo and Sara Cottini, but it stands on the shoulders of four generations of family winemaking in Valpolicella. Based in the medieval village of Castelrotto in the San Pietro in Cariano commune, the winery draws on historic vineyards in two of the region’s most renowned areas: the Negrar valley and Valgatara. This mix of sites, altitudes and exposures allows Paolo and Sara to craft wines with both depth and freshness, firmly rooted in the traditions of Valpolicella Classico. In their DOC and DOCG wines such as this Amarone, they honour classic styles and aging methods, while their IGT bottlings show a more experimental, personal side that has earned them a reputation for delivering remarkable quality and value from one of Italy’s most celebrated red wine regions.

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