Masi Campolongo di Torbe 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 750ml

Masi is one of the great names of Valpolicella, a family-run house whose story begins in 1772, when the Boscaini family made their first harvest in the “Vajo dei Masi,” a valley in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica region. Now run by the sixth, seventh, and eighth generations, Masi has a reputation as an authority on Amarone. Campolongo di Torbe is its crown jewel: Masi’s cru Amarone, from a vineyard “noted for its quality since the 12th century” and, according to one reviewer, “the first single vineyard produced in the region.”

The vineyard is 8 hectares of pergola-trained vines, at about 375 to 400 meters on a south-west-facing slope with deep, porous, well-drained volcanic soil, which gives the wine “a unique texture, soft tannins, and a delicate interplay of almond and mineral notes.” The wine is a classic Valpolicella blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara, and after the harvest the grapes are left to dry naturally for months in traditional drying lofts through the cold winter, which concentrates their sugars and flavors, then fermented and matured for about three years in oak barrels. The 2015 is 16% ABV.

Vinous scored it 95: “The 2015 Amarone Classico Campolongo di Torbe Cantina Privata Boscaini soothes with a bouquet that blends violet florals with hints of camphor, dark chocolate and rum-soaked cherries. This is silky smooth and expansive, with vibrant acidity to balance its density and power as masses of red and black fruits drench the palate. It finishes drastically long and potent, with a bitter twang of balsamic spice and suggestions of sour orange that maintain a lovely freshness. This is a mixture of intensity and complexity that is seldom seen.” Wine Spectator scored it 93: “A graceful red, with a rich core of black plum reduction and espresso crema flavors, with minerally accents of loamy earth and iron, sassafras and black tea leaves.” Natalie MacLean scored it 93: “Dry, full-bodied and amazingly complex, this wine is perfumed with cherry liqueur, fine herbs, salumi, bitter chocolate, espresso and bitter orange zest flavours full and luxurious on the palate with velvety tannins. Just gorgeous. Drink or cellar for 15-plus years.” An Italian shop lists a Wine Enthusiast 93 as well.

Masi’s own description: “Opaque ruby red. The nose is intense with complex aromas of baked fruit and cinnamon. The palate is rich, full-bodied and well-balanced, with ripe cherry flavours (sweet and marasca), baked plums and bitter almonds.” It’s a rich, powerful, but balanced Amarone, a style for cold-weather dinners: roasted venison, braised beef, lamb, aged cheeses, and mushroom dishes. Decant for two hours or more, and serve at about 64-66°F. It has a long future ahead of it, and can be cellared for 15 years or more.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Masi Campolongo di Torbe 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is produced by Masi Agricola (the Boscaini family, since 1772) in Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy, from Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grown in the 8-hectare Campolongo di Torbe vineyard (375-400 meters, south-west, volcanic soil, pergola-trained). Grapes dried naturally in traditional drying lofts, matured about 3 years in oak barrels. 16% ABV, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

Vinous — 95 Points:
“The 2015 Amarone Classico Campolongo di Torbe Cantina Privata Boscaini soothes with a bouquet that blends violet florals with hints of camphor, dark chocolate and rum-soaked cherries. This is silky smooth and expansive, with vibrant acidity to balance its density and power as masses of red and black fruits drench the palate. It finishes drastically long and potent, with a bitter twang of balsamic spice and suggestions of sour orange that maintain a lovely freshness. This is a mixture of intensity and complexity that is seldom seen.”

Wine Spectator — 93 Points:
“A graceful red, with a rich core of black plum reduction and espresso crema flavors, with minerally accents of loamy earth and iron, sassafras and black tea leaves.”

Natalie MacLean — 93/100:
“Dry, full-bodied and amazingly complex, this wine is perfumed with cherry liqueur, fine herbs, salumi, bitter chocolate, espresso and bitter orange zest flavours full and luxurious on the palate with velvety tannins. Just gorgeous. Drink or cellar for 15-plus years.”

Masi (tasting notes):
“Opaque ruby red. The nose is intense with complex aromas of baked fruit and cinnamon. The palate is rich, full-bodied and well-balanced, with ripe cherry flavours (sweet and marasca), baked plums and bitter almonds.”

Tasting Profile

Nose
Opaque ruby. Violet florals, camphor, dark chocolate, and rum-soaked cherries, with baked fruit, cinnamon, tar, orange peel, and salumi.

Palate
Silky, expansive, and full-bodied, with ripe sweet and marasca cherry, baked plum, bitter almond, espresso, and bitter chocolate, with vibrant acidity and velvety tannin.

Finish
Drastically long, with balsamic spice, sour orange, and loam and iron.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Roasted venison and lamb
• Braised beef and beef stew
• Mushroom dishes and pasta with rich tomato sauce
• Aged cheeses

Serving Note

Decant for two hours or more; serve at about 64-66°F.