JJB: $134.94 *
Dal Forno Romano has taken Valpolicella to a level few producers can match, and their Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta has never been an ordinary example of the appellation. Even the Valpolicella receives the kind of treatment normally associated with far more ambitious wines, including partially dried grapes and lengthy aging before release, prompting Vinous to remark that “it’s like drinking many other producers’ Amarone, but it’s labeled Valpolicella.” That combination of intensity and refinement is very much on display in the 2018, with Wine Enthusiast calling it “a wine lover’s must” and praising its rich, layered character and elegant finish. This is classic Dal Forno: powerful and built to age, but with the balance and polish that have made the estate one of the leading names in Valpolicella.
95 points & Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast: “Unfolding in a way that captures the attention and imagination at once, this Veneto classic is a wine lover's must. Opening with aromas of blackberry jam, plum preserves, anise, clove and espresso, it might overwhelm at first but give it a second. The palate is rich and layered with flavors that deserve some time to develop. Black cherries, tobacco, vanilla and spice all swirl on the palate into an elegant and refined finish. Drink Now – 2040”
95 points, James Suckling: “Restrained dark bramble fruit and vibrant spiciness, with notes of cold coffee, earth and bay leaves. The attack is dense and velvety, with thick, ripe tannins that are a bit sandy. Ripe and full-bodied with crisp acidity and good length focused on graphite. Power and grace, with a restrained chocolate aftertaste.”
94 points, Decanter: “Intense scents of potpourri, iris, crushed violet, fresh blueberries, herbs and a hint of black tea lead to a cocoa-dusted palate of succulent and ferrous red fruits, balanced by good acidity and with that beautiful fragrance wafting through.”
94 points, Wine Spectator: “A gorgeous nose of rosemary, leather, cocoa powder and milled pepper is a fragrant thread winding through this rich red. Dense, fine-grained tannins support flavors of baked black cherry and blackberry paste, loamy earth, graphite and Earl Grey tea leaf. Long and plush, with the detailed profile echoing on the finish.”
*Offer publication date September 7, 2026. Pricing and availability subject to change.
