2018 Dal Moro Amarone del Valpollicella

Appearance

Deep, dense garnet with a dark core. As it breathes and oxidizes, subtle garnet edges may begin to emerge, hinting at early evolution.

Aroma / Bouquet

The nose opens with concentrated red and black fruits — cherry compote, ripe plum, and black cherry in liqueur. As it develops, the dried fruit side becomes more evident: prune, fig, and a hint of raisin. Secondary notes of tobacco leaf, sweet spice (vanilla, clove), and leather build in complexity. A touch of ethereal (ether-like) nuance is noted in seller descriptions, suggesting slight volatile complexity.

Palate / Mouthfeel

The wine carries forward its aromatic intensity with a generous and warm mid-palate. Rich flavors of cherry jam, dried plum, and a touch of black currant dominate, accompanied by cocoa nib, espresso bitterness, and baking spices (clove, nutmeg). The tannins are firm yet mellowing, providing structure without rigidity. The acidity remains present enough to lend lift and tension. On the finish, lingering echoes of licorice, leather, and dried herb (bay leaf or thyme) persist.

Balance & Structure

This 2018 Dal Moro presents itself as a bold, concentrated Amarone with depth, but with early signs of integration. The oak influence is supportive, giving spice and a backbone without overwhelming fruit. The fruit, tannins, acid, and alcohol appear reasonably balanced, suggesting that with further cellaring the wine should continue to harmonize.

Evolution & Peak Drinking Window

Already approachable (especially with decanting), but still youthful, this vintage should gain more tertiary complexity over the next 5–10 years. By year 10–15 post-vintage, one might expect more forest floor, tobacco, cedar, leather, and underbrush notes to emerge, softening the fruit components and bringing greater elegance.

Food Pairings

This wine suits rich, earthy, and savory fare. Think:

• Slow-braised beef or oxtail

• Venison or wild boar

• Aged hard cheeses (Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, aged Gouda)

• Mushrooms, truffle risottos, or dishes with umami depth

• Even dark chocolate desserts with low sweetness, or coffee-based desserts

Comparative Perspective

Compared to the 2018 Tommasi Amarone (which is praised for its “tight structure, balance, acidity, cherries, fig pie, espresso, lingering spice”)  , Dal Moro’s 2018 is expected to show somewhat similar vintage vigor but perhaps with a slightly more generous fruit profile (given the producer’s style) and somewhat less extreme in tensile tension. The reference vintage complements our expectation of strong fruit expression with the potential for graceful aging.