The 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi is a wine of massive proportions and aspirations. This vintage marks the first time that this single-vineyard Amarone Classico is a Riserva. Capitel Monte Olmi sees a meticulous blend of up to eight indigenous grapes, all aged 48 months in barrel. It would be hard to exaggerate just how big this wine is. It shows its muscle in terms of chewy sweetness as well as the tightness of tannins that you normally do not encounter in Amarone. In fact, the wine is so big, it requires at least five more years of bottle aging to reach better integration. - Monica Larner

Cellar Selection. Aromas of underbrush, porcini mushroom, scorched earth and prune lead the nose on this full-bodied wine. The concentrated palate offers blueberry extract and black plum, while notes of mocha and black pepper add depth. It’s still young, with big, chewy tannins and enough fresh acidity to age another decade or more. Drink 2015–2024.