Paolo Cottini Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG 2016

Paolo Cottini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG 2016 is a deeply expressive Amarone crafted in tiny quantities, capturing the soul of Valpolicella’s historic hills. Made from rigorously hand-selected grapes, dried with great care and aged extensively in large French oak, it offers an unusually refined balance of power, richness and elegance. This 2016 Riserva is a collector-worthy bottling, with each of the just 1,400 bottles individually numbered and only a handful leaving Italy. Combining Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella from high-altitude and lower-lying vineyards, this Amarone stands out for its concentration, length and poise rather than sheer weight. Produced in the classic appassimento tradition and matured for six full years in large tonneaux before a year of bottle aging, it represents a modern benchmark for Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva from a family now in its fourth generation of winemaking.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2016 Paolo Cottini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva shows a deep, impenetrable garnet core with ruby reflections at the rim, hinting at both its concentration and evolution. The legs are slow and generous, underlining the wine’s richness and structure. The nose is intense and layered, with classic Amarone notes of dried cherries, black plums and figs, intertwined with hints of candied orange peel, cocoa, sweet tobacco and baking spices from the long oak aging. Subtle nuances of dried herbs, licorice, leather and roasted coffee emerge with air, giving a complex and evolving aromatic profile. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, opulent wine with remarkable finesse. The dried red and black fruit carries through—think morello cherry, blackberry compote and dates—supported by well-integrated oak tones of vanilla, cedar and dark chocolate. Fine-grained tannins provide a firm but velvety structure, while a fresh, vibrant acidity keeps the richness in check and extends the finish. The alcohol is powerful yet harmoniously woven into the wine’s texture, making it equally suited to contemplative sipping or pairing with robust dishes. Thanks to its concentration, structure and long élevage, this 2016 Riserva has excellent aging potential. It is already showing beautifully complex tertiary notes but will continue to develop further aromatic depth and textural polish over the next 10–15 years or more if well cellared.

Production
The grapes for this Amarone come from Paolo Cottini’s vineyards in two prized zones of historic Valpolicella Classico: Ca’ del Gallo in the Negrar valley at around 580 meters above sea level with a southwest exposure, and Valgatara at about 250 meters with a southeast exposure. This contrast in altitude and aspect delivers fruit with both freshness and maturity, combining aromatic lift with depth and intensity. Vines are traditionally trained using the classic pergola system, which protects the clusters and is particularly suited to the appassimento style, and all grapes are hand-harvested to ensure only the healthiest bunches are selected. The blend is composed of roughly 55% Corvina, 35% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella. After picking, the grapes are carefully laid out to dry for around 100 days, concentrating sugars, acids and flavor compounds in the traditional Amarone manner. Fermentation takes place in large oak vats over an extended period of about 40 days, allowing for a gentle, slow extraction of color, tannin and aromatic complexity. The wine then ages for an exceptional 72 months in large French oak tonneaux of approximately 1,000 liters, followed by 12 months of bottle aging before release. This prolonged maturation polishes the tannins, integrates the oak and yields the impressive depth and elegance that distinguish this Riserva.

Food & Serving
This is a natural partner for rich, flavor-packed dishes: slow-braised beef, venison or wild game, lamb shanks, ossobuco, and mature hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or aged Grana Padano. It shines alongside festive meals—such as roast meats and traditional holiday fare—yet is equally compelling as a ‘meditation wine’ enjoyed on its own after dinner, where its many layers can be fully appreciated. Serve at 18–20°C (64–68°F) in large, tulip-shaped glasses to allow the aromas to unfold. Decanting for 2–3 hours before serving is strongly recommended, especially in its youth, to help the wine open up and reveal its full complexity.

Producer
The Paolo Cottini estate carries the personal imprint of husband-and-wife team Paolo and Sara, who founded their own label in 2010 but draw on a winemaking legacy that spans four generations. Paolo learned the craft from his father, Silvano, and has continued the family tradition with a focus on quality, identity and respect for the Valpolicella terroir. The winery is based in Castelrotto, a picturesque medieval village in the commune of San Pietro in Cariano, at the heart of Valpolicella Classico. Vineyards spread across two key areas—high-altitude Ca’ del Gallo in the Negrar valley and Valgatara—providing diverse exposures and elevations that enrich the character of their wines. In their DOC and DOCG bottlings, such as this Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva, Paolo and Sara remain faithful to traditional styles of production and maturation, while their IGT wines offer a more personal, exploratory expression of their vision. With highly limited, individually numbered releases and meticulous attention to detail in both vineyard and cellar, the estate has quickly earned a reputation among insiders for wines of outstanding purity, typicity and value.

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