To the north of Verona and the east of Lago di Garda (Garda Lake), you can take the SP1a towards San Floriano and as you drive seeing the amazing vineyards through San Floriano, and after the rolling natural hills you will find tucked in a magnificent valley the small town of San Pietro in Cariano. This is where you’ll find the estate of Stefano Cesari, Brigaldara. This winery which has been in his family since the early 1970’s, makes some of the Venetos best Amarone della Valpolicella. They concentrate on making small production, high quality wines and have not changed their ways since they started.
AMARONE CASE VECIE 2001
This is a unique wine in that it is made from a single vineyard of special importance to the family. The vines are now on their 15th year (not super old for Veneto standards but are ageing perfectly) and have the best exposure facing to the east and at the highest elevation of 200 meters. After the traditional drying methods this wine is then aged one year in barriques (small 225 litre oak barrels) and then another 2 years in what the Italians call ‘botti’ which are large casks made of oak, these being 25 hectalitres. Only 1250 cases of this wine is made and only half of that comes to the US market. The blend is of traditional grape varietals:
Uve: Corvinone 40% Corvina 30% Rondinella 15% altre 15%.
AMARONE CASE VECIE 2001
This is a unique wine in that it is made from a single vineyard of special importance to the family. The vines are now on their 15th year (not super old for Veneto standards but are ageing perfectly) and have the best exposure facing to the east and at the highest elevation of 200 meters. After the traditional drying methods this wine is then aged one year in barriques (small 225 litre oak barrels) and then another 2 years in what the Italians call ‘botti’ which are large casks made of oak, these being 25 hectalitres. Only 1250 cases of this wine is made and only half of that comes to the US market. The blend is of traditional grape varietals:
Uve: Corvinone 40% Corvina 30% Rondinella 15% altre 15%.
Recent Parker reviews of their wonderful wines:
The 2005 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a relatively straightforward wine but I loved it for its superb balance and harmony. Sweet red cherries, herbs, leather, spices and earthiness are buffered by finessed tannins as this soft-textured wine opens in the glass. This is a great introduction to Amarone. Curiously, the 2005 comes across as more advanced than the 2004, and I would choose to drink it on the young side. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015. …90 pts WABrigaldara’s 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella Case Vecie is a very serious wine. It reveals a richer and riper personality than the Amarone, with superb volume in its dark blueberries, blackberries, spices and herbs. The full-bodied expression of fruit hides considerable structure that lurks beneath. Lingering notes of sweetness round out the long finish. Although the 2004 shows more clarity and precision than the 2003, I would have a hard time choosing between them. This is high-class Amarone all the way. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016…. 94 pts WA
I was very impressed with the wines I tasted from Brigaldara. The Amarone is aged in cask and is made in a fairly approachable style, while the single-vineyard Amarone Case Vecie is a richer wine that also sees some French oak. Both wines are well worth seeking out. WA
The 2005 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a relatively straightforward wine but I loved it for its superb balance and harmony. Sweet red cherries, herbs, leather, spices and earthiness are buffered by finessed tannins as this soft-textured wine opens in the glass. This is a great introduction to Amarone. Curiously, the 2005 comes across as more advanced than the 2004, and I would choose to drink it on the young side. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015. …90 pts WABrigaldara’s 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella Case Vecie is a very serious wine. It reveals a richer and riper personality than the Amarone, with superb volume in its dark blueberries, blackberries, spices and herbs. The full-bodied expression of fruit hides considerable structure that lurks beneath. Lingering notes of sweetness round out the long finish. Although the 2004 shows more clarity and precision than the 2003, I would have a hard time choosing between them. This is high-class Amarone all the way. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016…. 94 pts WA
I was very impressed with the wines I tasted from Brigaldara. The Amarone is aged in cask and is made in a fairly approachable style, while the single-vineyard Amarone Case Vecie is a richer wine that also sees some French oak. Both wines are well worth seeking out. WA
