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. — 3 months ago

Jennifer

9.1

Yummy Amarone with colleagues in Singapore (Shangri La Italian restaurant). Yep, would quite happily have another bottle. 2020 — 4 months ago

Irina Georgieva

9.8

Amazing amarone! Rich taste, well-rounded, well balanced, long and rich aftertaste! — 4 months ago

Tom Kohli

9.0

Great Amarone! — 5 months ago

Bob Eisenbach

9.0

Silky smooth and still drinking well at 19. — 7 months ago

LM Segal

9.5

Turns out super well made Amarone is ideal match for Texas smoked brisket and ribs. Dense, layered and oh, so smooth. No clue where it’s hiding 17% alcohol. In a sweet spot with 30 minute decant. 🙏 @Michael Aronovici — 10 months ago

Bonnie Chu

9.0

Gambero Rosso Tre bicchieri l 🇮🇹 trade tasting, cherry and 💪 — 3 months ago

Andrew Keenan

9.7

Moores 2024. $25. Still the greatest. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

The oak has integrated from my previous note in February 2017 where the influence of oak Barriques was overly present. Sangiovese is not enhanced by too much oak in my opinion and is best matured in large Botti like I said in my previous note like Biondi Santi. Red cherry and earth notes finishing with powdery tannins. Coming together. — 4 months 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. — 4 months ago

Bill Obregon

9.0

Lovely Amarone — 6 months ago

Tyler Felous

9.4

Took a flyer buying this from Benchmark. Bottle was in perfect condition, but sadly past its peak. Nose was outstanding - huge - chocolate, spice box. Had lost any acidity to balance the huge fruit. And at 17%, it kicked our ass. Would love to try a slightly younger rendition. — 8 months ago

Brian Grech

9.4

At Flour + Water with Dani and the Ghafouri’s — a year ago

with Ashley

Fabio Franchella

9.1

1 Glas : Angenehm weich, leicht buttrig, dezente holznoten und frischfruchtig im abgang. A little surprise — 3 months ago

Larry Mik

9.3

Blackberries, raisins, smoky, great looking bottle, lovely tannins, plum, caramel, fig — 3 months ago

Ira Schwartz

9.3

Served blind . Arrogantly said after a quick smell & taste, Burgundy from 2018 , high quality village wine. WRONG! Beautiful flavors of cherry, earth and mineral. Pepper red fruits, herbs and mouthwatering acid attacked my palate. Still has structure to endure for years. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2021 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of black cherry, espresso, black tea, dried herbs and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Drink now with patience but, to my palate, I think this will be better with a few more years in the cellar so the oak can better integrate. This is built to last well past 2041. — 5 months ago

Rob

9.2

Clay, earth — 7 months ago

Wilf Gobert

9.0

Viking cruise wine tasting. Bold and lingering. — 10 months ago

Rex Campbell

9.2

Things that stood out: raisinated stone fruit and leather. 2017 vintage, very much enjoyed with a spaghetti bolognese. — 4 years ago