Barana Amarone della Valpolicella 2020

This opulent red is crafted by the Barana family in the heart of Amarone country in Valpolicella—northeast of Verona, not far from majestic Lake Garda. The farm was founded in 1958 by Angelo Barana, and was later passed down to his sons Marco and Paolo. They’ve always grown exceptional grapes, which they sold to some of the top Amarone producers.

But in 2018, Marco’s daughters and nephew—who work in the family business—convinced him to make a wine under their own family label. When our man on the ground, Leonardo, heard the family would be crafting their own wines, he quickly arranged a visit. He was enamored with the Amarone from 2020, a highly rated vintage that produced reds with “excellent concentration and elegant tannins” (Wine Scholar Guild).

Amarone achieves its hallmark richness through the appassimento process. Grapes are laid out in a single layer to avoid bruising. Then, they’re dried in fruttaio (indoor lofts) on arele (wooden racks) or plastic crates. Over three to four months, the grapes lose about 30% of their weight, and the resulting fruit becomes highly concentrated in flavor.

The Barana family’s Amarone is a traditional blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella (with a dash of Croatina), aged in fine French barrels for two years. It’s elegant and intense, with layers of ripe dark fruits, notes of cocoa and velvety tannins.

This is a handcrafted wine is limited by nature—order quickly to avoid missing out.