Nose: Wet leather, earth, mushroom with plum and cherry.
Palate: Tight tannins wrap a big-boned acid core though which come juicy berries and flint.
Finish: Cinnamon and cocoa hint during the long finish.
Overall: Let this wine breathe if you open it any time between now and 2018! It was incredibly tight in the beginning, betraying its relative youth. But after 90 minutes open and breathing this Amarone relaxed a bit and the flavors, crafting and quality were incredible. Even so, the wine is drinking young now. Its multi-layered nose and mid-palate flavors have huge promise for aging over the next 5 years. It is worthwhile to purchase a case (or even a half-case) and open one bottle a year just to see how this magnificent wine comes together.
Because this is a sponsored wine review, we received this wine at no charge. However, it retails for an average of $53 with a SRP of $70. However, some local stores may have it on special for under $30 (if so, pick up several, it's a steal!)
Here is what Masi says about their 2009 Costasera Amarone: the estate’s specialty -- to produce this unique Amarone, Masi combines ancient varieties (Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara) and winemaking methods (vinifying grapes semi-dried on racks for 3-4 months) with the latest techniques: bamboo racks in temperature- and humidity-controlled conditions induce natural drying; selective exposure to botrytis cinerea (‘noble rot’); strictly controlled fermentations through the use of Saccharomyces bayanus, a rare yeast that produces high alcohol. This deep ruby-red wine has powerful, complex aromas of dried plums and balsamic (anise, fennel, mint) traces. Quite dry (not sweet) on the palate, soft and with bright acidity, the wine shows flavors of baked cherry, chocolate and cinnamon. Structured but noble, delicate tannins precede a long finish.
