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. — 2 days ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.2

Clear, medium ruby to garnet in color; on the nose it's, clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of cherries, almond,and cloves; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, medium tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, and pronounced primary and secondary flavors of tart cherry, ripe strawberry, tar, and black tea with a long finish. This wine is complex and intense. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. Nellie likes it too. — a month ago

with Nellie

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! — 5 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

A blend of Corvina Veronese 45%, Corvinone 45%, Rondinella 5% & Oseleta 5%, deep Ruby with aromas of dried dark fruits, spice and herb, about 120 days of appassimento. On the palate flavors of ripe cherry and raspberry with notes of fig, cacao, flint and mineral tones. Soft smooth tannins well balanced with acidity on a long spicy finish. Will continued to get better with age. Sustainable. — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2023 | La Rocco is the best Pieropan. Hints of gold, minerality, vanilla, beautiful roundness ánd charm. 15 months barrel aging. — 2 months ago

Irina Georgieva

9.8

Amazing amarone! Rich taste, well-rounded, well balanced, long and rich aftertaste! — 2 months ago

Larry Mik

9.3

Blackberries, raisins, smoky, great looking bottle, lovely tannins, plum, caramel, fig — 7 days ago

Bonnie Chu

9.0

Gambero Rosso Tre bicchieri l 🇮🇹 trade tasting, cherry and 💪 — 7 hours ago

Roman Ochocki

9.5

Fantastic. Very rich and rewarding. A black currant, plum, licorice and leather. — a month ago

Brian S

9.5

I love this producer whatever they make. So alive, fresh and beautiful. Could drink this all night! — 2 months ago