Torre di Terzolan is a small, family-run estate in Val Squaranto, in the eastern hills of Valpolicella, just outside Verona. Owned by Roberta Previdi, the estate works organically, with a focus on traditional local grape varieties and wines that reflect their hillside vineyards.
Made from 50% Corvina, 40% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella, this is a beautifully individual expression of Amarone. The grapes are carefully selected from the older vineyards and naturally dried for around three months in the estate's historic drying loft. This concentrates the fruit and gives the wine its depth and richness, but the aim here is not simply power. The relatively short drying period helps retain freshness and the character of the high-altitude vineyards. Aged for three years in new French oak barriques and then a further three years in bottle, it has developed considerable complexity while retaining an elegant, savoury character.
Method
The best bunches are hand-harvested from the older vines during the second and third weeks of September and placed carefully in shallow trays (plateaux). They are left to dry naturally in the estate's traditional drying loft for approximately 80–90 days, concentrating the sugars and flavours.
Vinification begins in December with several days of cold maceration, followed by a long, slow fermentation at low temperatures. Daily pumping over and rack-and-return techniques help extract colour, flavour and structure. The wine is then matured for 36 months in new French oak barriques, some Bordeaux-style and others Burgundy-style, before spending a further three years ageing in bottle.
Tasting note
Deep ruby red, beginning to develop garnet hues. An enticing nose of concentrated Morello cherry, dark plum and dried fruit, with layers of liquorice, aromatic herbs, tobacco, roasted coffee and dark chocolate. The palate is full-bodied and beautifully textured, with rich cherry fruit and savoury, earthy notes balanced by fresh acidity and fine, polished tannins. Despite its concentration and 16% alcohol, it has an impressive sense of freshness and elegance. Long and persistent, with lingering notes of spice, bitter chocolate and dried herbs. A mature, characterful Amarone that favours refinement over sheer weight.
