The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella is dark, rich and deeply alluring but with an energy that keeps you coming back to the glass. The bouquet draws you in with a mix of cherry and plum sauce, notes of sage, tobacco and hints of woodsmoke. It's velvety-smooth, energized by vibrant acids with sweet red fruits and spices, yet it never crosses the line of becoming cloying or tiring. The balance here is remarkable, as the 2015 comes across as delicious and spry in spite of its girth and intensity. There's a subtle coating of fine tannin and hints of bitter chocolate that linger throughout the finale, promising many years of development. The term that comes to mind is "Rock Star Wine.''

Rich notes of warm brown bread, date and coffee liqueur are accented by hints of tangy dried cranberry and fragrant dried thyme in this dense, savory red. It's full-bodied, with chalky tannins and a streak of smoky mineral defining the lasting finish. Best from 2023 through 2028. 900 cases made, 200 cases imported.