2016 Pergole Vece Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Pergole Vece is especially spry and lifted, offering smoky minerals, citrus-tinged blackberries and hints of confectioner’s spice. It keeps the energy high from start to finish, as silky textures gain momentum through juicy acids, giving way to medicinal cherries, minty herbs and a hint of bitter espresso bean. The 2016 doesn’t miss a beat, with a caking of fruit concentrate creating a sensation of tension under an air of sweet inner florals. While I’m loving the vibrancy here, I expected more depth from the 2016 vintage, as well as an old-vine bottling.