The 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Costa delle Corone pulls you in with a bouquet that is already showing a bit of maturity yet in a darkly alluring and sultry way, as ripe plums and cherries give way to a mix of mocha, sweet herbs and tobacco. This continues to open up in the glass, becoming more savory over time, adding rich brown spices, smoke and hints of tomato leaf. The textures are velvety in feel yet cast upon a medium-bodied frame, with brisk acids adding tension as tart red and black fruits saturate all that they touch, leaving a coating of bitter dark chocolate. This is a big wine, but the balance is admirable, finishing long yet pleasantly fresh and with a bitter twang that invites you to take another sip.

Resin, cake spice, crushed blue flower and baked plum aromas lead the way. The powerfully structured palate delivers chewing tobacco, raisin, dried black cherry and licorice framed in robust well-knit tannins.