2004 Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta
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Tasting notes
This is my favorite of the five vintages (2019, 2018, 2016, 2004 and 2002) of Dal Forno's Amarone tasted at the winery in 2024. The Dal Forno Romano 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta has benefitted from two decades of cellar and bottle age to show softer polymerize tannins (to a much larger extent). The wine presents dark fruit, dried rose, church incense, dusty oak sensations and flinty mineral essences. You get pretty complexity in this vintage, and many of those added layers come thanks to careful tertiary tones. The mouthfeel is rich, but there is a moment of brightness on the mid-palate that breaks up the heaviness, and the tannins are chalky dry.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
This is dusty and lifted, as masses of rosy florals, incense, dried cherries, spiced orange and hints of candle wax create a thrilling bouquet on the 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella. Each time I come back to the glass, there’s something new, as this seems to grow in volume, yet remains amazingly finessed. While silky and round at this stage in its life, there are depths of fleshy red berries that give way to hints of cocoa and pretty inner florals. There remains a coating of fine adolescent tannins that frames the expression well, yet doesn't slow its momentum, as this tapers off incredibly long and classic in feel. It’s crazy to think that the 2004 finished at around six to seven grams of residual sugar; however, through its acid balance, is completely imperceptible. Due to hail, production was down 35% in 2004.
The 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella is one of the most monumental young wines I have ever tasted. This is an especially silky, elegant Amarone from Dal Forno that avoids the heaviness of some previous vintages. Blackberry jam, crushed rocks, minerals, violets, new leather and bittersweet chocolate are some of the nuances that emerge over time. This is every bit as majestic as it was every time I tasted it from barrel over the last few years.
Impenetrable purple ruby. Brooding power on the nose. Rich and generous mouthful of cherry fruit on the attack but then draws back and closes up. Gorgeous, linear acidity, and richly fruity on the finish with bags of big tannins. Almost a little overwhelming and the rich, tannic impression lasts forever. (WS)
About the producer
Along with Giuseppe Quintarelli, Dal Forno Romano makes the best wines in the Veneto. The history of Dal Forno Romano, however, is much shorter, and its rise to fame much faster.