The 2018 Buglioni Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Il Lussurioso is a proprietary blend hailing from the Veneto region of Italy. This red wine, produced by Buglioni, is notable for its robust character and high alcohol content of 16.0%. It is sealed with a cork and has garnered favorable reviews from several distinguished wine critics.
Decanter awarded the wine a score of 91, noting its complex profile of "dried fruits alongside ripe plums, chocolate, coffee, and cigar box notes." The review emphasizes the wine's "great volume on the palate with underlying acidity," which adds to its overall appeal (Decanter, 1/1/2022).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, represented by Monica Larner, gave the wine a slightly higher score of 92. Larner describes the wine as having an "inky dark appearance" and "robust aromas of dried fruit, cured leather, spice, rosemary essence, and barbecue ember." She highlights the wine's rich intensity and opulent texture, pointing out the significant 16% alcohol content that is hard to miss. Larner mentions a "hint of sweetness on the close," which adds to the wine's depth and complexity (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 10/5/2023).
Wine Enthusiast provided the highest score of 93, with Jeff Porter describing the Amarone as showcasing "the wine style's depth and finesse." He notes aromas of "dark plums and blackberries knit together with fresh and dried floral notes." The palate is well-structured, featuring a solid core of dark fruit balanced with flavors of "dried spices, coffee beans, dark chocolate, and forest floor." Porter also highlights the tannins that provide the wine with a backbone to uphold its richness, suggesting it will age well until 2040 (Wine Enthusiast, 7/1/2023).
Overall, the 2018 Buglioni Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Il Lussurioso is a richly intense and complex wine that has received excellent reviews for its well-rounded flavor profile and potential for aging.