Jay Kline

9.5

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2001 Monte Bello pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, an intoxicating mix of exotic Eastern spices, some cocoa, inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate? The wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and impeccably balanced. To my palate, this bottle has reached the age when Monte Bello starts to really become interesting. What a delight! Drink now with some air, through 2051. — 7 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Dark ruby color with a slight brick rim. Aromas of cherry, bramble berries, leather, orange zest and dusty earth. Flavors of black cherry/berry/raspberry/plum fruit, blueberries, tobacco and savory spices. Intense earthy quality on the long finish. Mouth watering acidity and very silky tannins. Medium-plus body. A bit of heft and intensity. Solid weeknight option. — 2 months ago

John Berghoff

9.3

Little guy — 3 months ago

Kyle B

8.9

Fantastic Chianti, tasting in Italy. — 5 months ago

with Terry

Pooneet K

9.2

One of the best langhe nebbiolos I’ve had recently, especially for a relatively reasonable price on the list at Leon’s. And a great pairing with pork braciole as well. Lots of fruit, but still quite refined, with great texture and acid. Quite pretty and delicious. — 6 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

One of my absolute favorite California wines. The California Latour. ‘97 is superb—vividly detailed and complex with both power and elegance. A masterful balance of fruit, tertiary character and cooling acidity with a silky palate and melting tannins. Hard to beat for a Wagyu pairing. — 6 months ago

Louis Martin

9.2

Dry, succulent, ripe red fruit aroma, medium body, slightly tart finish. — 6 months ago

Sagee Aran

9.3

Pours a medium, slightly faded garnet rim, opening with an intense and highly expressive nose showing advanced tertiary evolution. On the palate, it exhibits a firm, full-bodied structure driven by ripe, integrated tannins and a distinctly mature, savory depth. The texture remains smooth, carrying through to a finish with harmonious spices—a fully evolved bottle to be consumed in the very near future. — 12 days ago

Angela Sanks

9.3

Fantastico — 2 months ago

Mark Mannebach

9.2

Peach citrus upfront with a nice mineral finish — 3 months ago

Tom Jenkins

9.0

Hugo’s menu, GM recommended. Soft, delicate. Light on the tongue, hints of tart fruit. — 4 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2000 | Cellaring rewarded the wine :-) bottled elegance, light footed sangiovese with good structure, dances in the glass — 5 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Blend of Corvina (60%), Corvinone (20%), Rondinella(10%), Croatina (5%) and Oseleta (5%). Dark ruby color. Aromas of dried red and black fruit, diesel fumes, leather and a bit of vanilla. Flavors of intense black berry/cherry/plum fruit, tobacco and sweet baking spices. The vanilla note is present on the long and lingering persistent finish. Velvety texture and harmonious with some noticeable alcohol heat. Bold, rich and intense. Thanks for sharing, Keith S! — 6 months ago

Irina Georgieva

9.2

Nice wine, well rounded and fruity, good taste — 7 months ago

Amanda Thomas

9.4

Absolutely fantastic with ratatouille with thyme. Cuts through everything and melds beautifully. Need another bottle to form more thoughts. — a month ago

with Tim

Lyn Farmer

9.3

Deep Ruby color with intense black fruit aromas of cassis, black cherry, blackberry, violet, vanilla, cedar and crushed stone minerality. Light eucalyptus, forest floor, cigar box and graphite. Well balanced tannin and acidity though the wine feels a bit over-extracted. Delicious but a little heavy. Lots of room for development. — 2 months ago

Russ Kujan

9.2

2022 vintage. Strong acidity, Raspberry, red fruit, cocoa, leather, and spices. Freshness and terroir on display. Good stuff. Good value. — 3 months ago

Vinny Brooklyn

9.4

Second & last of my bottles. Wonderful, while ready to drink still has plenty of years ahead of it. — 5 months ago

Jay Miner

9.0

As good as ever. As good as always. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Sant’Urbano, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2020, Veneto, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Produced by Speri in the historic hills of Valpolicella Classico, the Sant’Urbano Amarone is one of the estate’s flagship wines and a benchmark expression of the style. Crafted from the traditional Amarone blend, primarily Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, the grapes undergo the classic appassimento drying process for several months before fermentation, concentrating flavors and structure. The 2020 vintage shows remarkable balance between richness and freshness, delivering depth while maintaining precision and lift.

Aromas & Flavors
Subtle yet expressive layers of dried raisin, marmalade, and dark fruit compote emerge alongside notes of ripe cherry, fig, and delicate spice. The aromatic profile reveals the classic Amarone character without becoming overly heavy, allowing fruit purity and complexity to remain in focus.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet remarkably lively, the wine moves across the palate with impressive energy. Structured tannins and vibrant acidity provide a firm backbone, giving the wine lift and elegance. The texture is rich but polished, and the finish is long, layered, and persistent, suggesting a wine that will continue to evolve and climb with further aging.

Food Pairings
This Amarone pairs beautifully with slow-braised meats, roasted lamb, venison, and rich game dishes where its concentration and acidity complement savory depth. It also shines alongside aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino, where the wine’s structure and lingering finish enhance the richness of the pairing.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced Amarone that combines power with finesse. Structured, energetic, and elegant, it delivers both immediate pleasure and strong aging potential.

Did You Know?
The Sant’Urbano vineyard from which this wine takes its name is one of Speri’s historic crus in Valpolicella Classico and is considered among the estate’s most important sites for producing Amarone with both structure and longevity.

🍷 Personal Pick
An Amarone that truly danced across the palate, rich yet vibrant, with subtle dried fruit, marmalade, and compote supported by strong structure and acidity. Delicious now, but clearly a wine that still has room to climb. — 6 months ago