Cesari Bosan 2015 Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 750ml

Bosan is Cesari's genuine single-vineyard flagship — sourced entirely from a modest five hectares located right in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico DOCG, the historic core of the entire appellation. Grapes destined for Bosan are picked one to two weeks earlier than those used for standard Valpolicella Classico, then arranged in a single layer inside small crates and dried for 90 days inside the estate's large "fruttai" rooms, losing roughly 30% of their original weight in the process. That extended drying period, and the resulting concentration, is precisely what separates Amarone from its lighter Valpolicella cousin.

The 2015 vintage arrived after a genuinely demanding growing season — a harsh winter followed by a scorching summer that broke 20-year temperature records, tempered by above-average early-year precipitation and a rain-free April. The result, per Cesari's own team, was an early harvest of exceptional-quality grapes. Following the extended appassimento drying, maceration runs 20 full days, with malolactic fermentation completed in stainless steel before the wine settles into three years of French barrique aging, followed by a further twelve months in bottle before release — a genuinely patient, multi-year production timeline for a single vintage.

The critical reception has been consistently strong, with Wine-Searcher's aggregated critic data placing the 2015 at 92/100, and CellarTracker's community matching that almost exactly at 92.1 points across seven individual reviews. Wine Enthusiast's Jeff Porter offered a genuinely evocative take: "this Riserva begins as an introvert at the dinner party, initially reserved, wrapped in layers of herbs and dark brooding fruits. But like any great conversation partner, patience reveals its depths. The wine unfolds gradually, each sip sharing new chapters of spice and complexity... think of it as that thoughtful friend who, once comfortable, offers the most engaging dialogue, especially when accompanied by a perfectly seared roast or mushrooms charred to earthy perfection." Talk-A-Vino's independent tasting found "legs more expressive" than the following 2016 vintage, with "dark cherries on the nose," "rounder on the palate," though noting "tannins a bit untamed" with "green notes on the finish," concluding it "needs more time." Cesari's own official notes describe "concentrated aromas of jam and morello cherry, plum and dark chocolate, with hints of black truffle and liquorice," the palate "full, with softness and roundness to balance the alcohol content," closing with a finish that's "very long, persistent and of great complexity." This is genuinely serious, single-vineyard Amarone — patient, structured, and built for real cellaring.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Cesari Bosan Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is sourced from a single five-hectare vineyard located in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Veneto, Italy, produced by Gerardo Cesari S.p.A. The 2015 vintage is a blend of 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, and 20% Rondinella, hand-selected roughly one to two weeks earlier than fruit destined for standard Valpolicella Classico.

Following harvest, the best bunches are arranged in a single layer and dried for 90 days inside large "fruttai" rooms, losing approximately 30% of their weight before pressing. Maceration lasts 20 days, followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, then three years of aging in French barrique, and a minimum of 12 months further aging in bottle before release. Bottled at 15.5% ABV.

Critics Reviews

Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast 93 Points:
"This Riserva begins as an introvert at the dinner party, initially reserved, wrapped in layers of herbs and dark brooding fruits. But like any great conversation partner, patience reveals its depths. The wine unfolds gradually, each sip sharing new chapters of spice and complexity. This isn't a wine that broadcasts its story; rather, it's a slow-burning narrative that rewards attention and time. Think of it as that thoughtful friend who, once comfortable, offers the most engaging dialogue, especially when accompanied by a perfectly seared roast or mushrooms charred to earthy perfection."

Talk-A-Vino (extended independent review):
"Legs are more expressive than in 2016. Dark cherries on the nose. Rounder on the palate than 2016, dark fruit, tannins a bit untamed, green notes on the finish. Needs more time."

Cesari (official tasting note):
"Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Bosan 2015 displays a deep garnet colour. On the nose, it reveals concentrated aromas of jam and morello cherry, plum and dark chocolate, with hints of black truffle and liquorice. The palate is full, with softness and roundness to balance the alcohol content. The finish is very long, persistent and of great complexity."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Deep garnet in color. Concentrated jam and morello cherry lead, joined by plum and dark chocolate, with hints of black truffle and licorice, alongside dark cherry.

Palate
Full-bodied, with genuine softness and roundness balancing the wine's considerable alcohol content, delivering dark fruit and layered spice character.

Finish
Very long, persistent, and of great complexity, closing with lingering fruit and spice — a genuinely patient, slow-unfolding finish.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Seared roast meats
• Charred mushrooms
• Aged, hard cheeses
• Rich, savory braises