Explore the Amarone Vintage Chart spanning from 1960 to the present, featuring star ratings. The Amarone della Valpolicella vintage chart classifies vintages on a scale from the pinnacle of excellence with five stars, reserved for the very best years, down to a minimum of one star for the least favorable vintages.
INDEX
Amarone Vintage Chart Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic trend Vintages Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage Chart
1970✭✭✭✭
1971✭✭✭
1972✭
1973✭✭
1974✭✭✭✭
1975✭✭✭
1976✭✭✭✭
1977✭✭✭
1978✭✭✭
1979✭✭✭✭
1980✭✭✭
1981✭✭✭
1982✭
1983✭✭✭✭✭
1984✭✭
1985✭✭✭✭
1986✭✭✭
1987✭✭
1988✭✭✭✭✭
1989✭✭
1990✭✭✭✭✭
1991✭✭✭
1992✭✭1/2
1993✭✭✭✭
1994✭✭✭✭1/2
1995✭✭✭✭✭
1996✭✭1/2
1997✭✭✭✭✭
1998✭✭✭✭✭
1999✭✭✭
2000✭✭✭✭1/2
2001✭✭✭
2002✭✭
2003✭✭✭
2004✭✭✭✭
2005✭✭✭
2006✭✭✭✭✭
2007✭✭✭✭
2008✭✭✭✭✭
2009✭✭✭✭
2010✭✭✭✭1/2
2011✭✭✭✭1/2
2012✭✭✭✭✭
2013✭✭✭✭
2014✭✭✭
2015✭✭✭✭1/2
2016✭✭✭✭✭2017✭✭✭✭
2018✭✭✭
2019✭✭✭✭✭
Climatic trend of Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage Chart
2019 – Best Vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trends:
The 2019 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella experienced a cool and rainy spring, followed by a warm summer. Phenological dates were slightly delayed, but grape maturation benefited from good spring water supply and temperature fluctuations in late August. Harvest took place in mid-September, slightly later than 2018 but in line with historical averages. In summary, a fairly rainy vintage with positive grape maturation despite some delays.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of 2019:
Analytical data: The analytics show a high concentration of anthocyanins and polyphenols. All wines stand out for complexity, refined aromas, and a well-balanced structure. The acidity contributes to a harmonious balance with a significant alcohol component. Undoubtedly, one of the best vintages for Amarone della Valpolicella, offering aging potential and perfect balance.
Rating for the 2019 vintage: ✭✭✭✭✭
2018 – Best Vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trends:
The spring of 2018 began unusually cold but later saw rising temperatures, with a peak in late April. The summer can be divided into a relatively cool and rainy start, followed by a warmer and less rainy phase, though with significant thunderstorms. Overall, the season was warmer than the previous years’ averages recorded in August.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of 2018:
Wines with a lower content of anthocyanins and tannins, slightly less structured but with pronounced acidity providing freshness and good aging potential. A vintage with not always consistent results.
Rating for the 2018 vintage: ✭✭✭
2017 – Amarone Vintage Chart
Climate Trend: In Veneto, particularly in Valpolicella, the anomalous climatic trend manifested as a dry and harsh winter with minimal rainfall, occurring only in February. Limited damage resulted from April frosts. Generally, temperatures remained below average, causing a significant decrease in production, especially in the hills (approximately 15-20% less). The grapes, however, achieved perfect ripeness in the cellar, thanks to temperature changes in the second decade of August and September rains. Wines exhibit normal acidity, with lower alcohol content compared to 2016.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2017 Vintage: Deep wines with substantial extract, vibrant and intense colors, and robust, mature tannins. Noteworthy alcoholic components, occasionally evident and clear, accompanied by intense, penetrating fruity aromas. The 2017 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella is exceptional, displaying great character and excellent evolutionary potential, rightfully ranking among the best vintages.
Star Rating of 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage Chart: ✭✭✭✭
2016 – Amarone Vintage Chart
Climate Trend: The 2016 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella featured a cold but dry winter, followed by a rainy and cool spring until May. The subsequent not overly hot summer led to a pleasant autumn with high temperatures and good ventilation, crucial for optimal technical-phenolic maturation. Constant humidity throughout the year led to critical issues with downy mildew. Below-average temperatures consistently delayed phenological phases, resuming only in autumn. Despite the challenges, 2016 was considered a difficult vintage, yielding excellent results for those who managed vineyards effectively.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2016 Vintage: Deep wines with substantial extract, lively and intense colors, and robust tannins of good maturity. Significant alcoholic components, occasionally evident and clear, accompanied by intense and penetrating fruity aromas. The 2016 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella stands out for its great character and excellent evolutionary potential, rightfully earning its place among the best vintages.
2015 – Best Vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella
Climate Trend: The 2015 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella was characterized by a winter with abundant snowfall, ensuring optimal soil water supply and promoting a regular and early vegetative cycle. From mid-June onwards, rainfall was scarce, and temperatures stabilized above average values. The heat set the stage for an early grape ripening, about ten days ahead of the norm.
In terms of grape health, the vintage is considered one of the best in recent years, requiring no specific interventions.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2015 Vintage: Deep wines with substantial extract, vibrant and intense colors, and vigorous tannins of good maturity. Significant alcoholic components, occasionally evident, and clear, with sharp, intense, and penetrating fruity aromas. An exceptional vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella, showcasing great character and excellent evolutionary potential, rightfully among the best vintages.
Star Rating of 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage: ✭✭✭✭✭
2014 – Best Vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella
Climate Trend of the 2014 Vintage: The 2014 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella was characterized by temperatures below average, reduced hours of available sunlight, and abnormal precipitation levels. The atypical summer with below-average temperatures and abundant rain posed challenges for vineyard phytosanitary management.
Selective leaf removal and careful grape selection allowed the harvest of healthy and balanced grapes. However, some producers chose not to bottle Amarone.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2014 Vintage: Possibly not among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella due to the critical climatic conditions, resulting in wines not always well-balanced, exhibiting some roughness and less suitable for aging.
Star Rating of 2014 Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage: ✭✭✭
2013 – Best Vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella
Climate Trend of the 2013 Vintage: The 2013 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella experienced a winter with heavy snowfall in the mountains and moderately cold temperatures. Spring was exceptionally rainy, causing severe damage to agriculture and people, including a flood in May.
After two months of rain, temperatures returned to normal conditions from June onwards, allowing for regular development, albeit with a slight delay.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2013 Vintage: Among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella, the wines balance structure and finesse remarkably. Good acidity provides freshness, and the wines exhibit interesting aging potential. A great vintage but with results not always uniform.
Star Rating of 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage: ✭✭✭✭
2012 – Best Vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella
Climate Trend of the 2012 Vintage: The 2012 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella featured a cold and dry winter. High temperatures arrived in March, leading to an early bud break, with flowering starting in mid-May. Persistent rains at the beginning of summer kept productivity low.
A hot and dry summer led to an early harvest starting in late August, resulting in an excellent yield until the end of September. An outstanding vintage.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2012 Vintage: Undoubtedly among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella, with opulent wines featuring significant alcoholic components. Great extract and interesting aging potential.
Star Rating of 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage: ✭✭✭✭✭
2011 – Best Vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella
Climate Trend of the 2011 Vintage: The 2011 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella had a winter with abundant rainfall and generally average temperatures. Early bud break resulted from this, and the spring continued with consistently above-average temperatures and exceptional dryness.
Contrarily, June and July were characterized by high rainfall, beneficial for grape development, followed by a rainless August with high temperatures. These climatic conditions maintained the early vegetative advance, ensuring excellent grape health and quality.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2011 Vintage: Among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella for finesse and balance, with not always uniform results but featuring very interesting peaks of quality.
Star Rating of 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage: ✭✭✭✭1/2
2010 – Best Vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trend of the 2010 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
The 2010 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella was critical and challenging, according to many experts. It was characterized by an unstable, very cold, and rainy climatic pattern with peaks of high temperatures in August. Significant variations were observed among different valleys. The hilly part suffered less due to better ventilation and drainage, despite the cold.
The grape ripening reached completion but with lower sugar content and consequent alcohol levels. The acidity is pronounced and, in some cases, marked. These characteristics contrast with the 2009 vintage, a warm year where structure, tannic strength, and fruity intensity defined its organoleptic profile.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2010 Vintage:
Despite variations in expressions due to climate, valleys, altitudes, microclimates, and production styles, the Amarone della Valpolicella wines of the 2010 vintage surprised with aromatic elegance, freshness, overall harmony, providing fragrant fruity sensations. In some cases, there were sustained austerity and hints of true excellence in the Marano and Fumane areas. The vintage can be considered very good.
Evaluation of the 2010 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭✭1/2
2009 – Best Vintages Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trend of the 2009 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
The 2009 vintage in the Amarone della Valpolicella area was characterized by a winter with average seasonal rainfall. Abundant spring rains slowed down vegetative growth. The typical dry summer with modest precipitation led to a regular harvest with healthy and mature grapes.
Despite a rather peculiar climatic pattern, cold in the early part and extremely hot during the harvest, the 2009 vintage saw a 10% reduction in the harvested quantity compared to 2008, but the quality was excellent.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2009 Vintage:
A vintage with sporadic results due to some climatic irregularities. Perhaps not among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella, but some wines stand out for their quality.
Evaluation of the 2009 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭✭
2008 – Best Amarone della Valpolicella Vintages
Climatic Trend of the 2008 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
The 2008 vintage related to Amarone della Valpolicella was characterized by abundant spring rainfall and summer temperatures within the seasonal norm.
The climatic pattern of the vintage interacted with the soil conditions of the six terroirs of the Valpolicella DOC, defining the produced wine. It showed austerity in the western valleys of Valpolicella Classica, namely Sant’Ambrogio, San Pietro in Cariano, and Fumane, opulence in the Negrar valley, richness in Cazzano, Mezzane, and Val d’Illasi. Marano’s Amarone stands out for finesse, while Valpantena’s exhibits elegance.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2008 Vintage:
A vintage with lower extract and greater smoothness but with peaks of excellence. Perhaps not among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella in terms of aging potential.
Evaluation of the 2008 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭✭✭
2007 – Best Vintages Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trend of the 2007 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
The 2007 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella was characterized by a uniquely seasonal trend: consistently higher average temperatures than historical values, combined with generally lower precipitation. This allowed early budding, regular flowering, and perfect grape ripening.
The harvest period was marked by splendid sunny days and cool nights, an ideal alternation for the aromatic maturation of Corvina.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2007 Vintage:
One of the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella for depth and volume, a warm vintage with tannins of good maturity, concentration, and olfactory intensity with penetrating fruity notes and good aging potential.
Evaluation of the 2007 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭✭
2006 – Best Vintages Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trend of the 2006 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
The 2006 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella was characterized by normal spring rainfall and a July devoid of precipitation. The first two decades of August featured frequent, low-intensity rains, ideal for excellent grape cluster growth and maturation.
The harvest was marked by a period of fine weather, allowing grapes to be harvested at the best moment of ripening and in excellent health. The fall and early winter were very good with low temperatures, as usual, with very few foggy days, allowing a gradual and excellent grape withering.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2006 Vintage:
An exceptional vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella characterized by excellent polyphenolic concentrations, important alcohol components, supported by nerve acidity, and complex and elegant aromatic profiles. Deservedly among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella.
Evaluation of the 2006 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭✭✭
2005 – Best Vintages Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trend of the 2005 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
The 2005 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella presented climatic conditions not far from the average characteristics for Valpolicella during winter and early spring. From flowering to grape ripening, the climate was favorable, with warm but not sweltering days, normal summer sunshine, interspersed with classic, mild, summer storms.
Very intense rains occurred in early September, which did not compromise the qualitative aspect, as they were followed by sunny and windy days. October and November recorded lower temperatures and humidity compared to the seasonal average, allowing excellent grape withering.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2005 Vintage:
Interesting wines with varying results, some unevenness, and some roughness. A normal vintage, perhaps not among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella.
Evaluation of the 2005 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭
2004 – Best Vintages Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trend of the 2004 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
The 2004 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella was characterized by a rainy and cold winter, restoring normal conditions to Valpolicella after the dry 2003 vintage. Regular spring allowed regular flowering and regular crop load.
The summer presented daytime temperatures within the average and quite low nighttime temperatures, determining good average excursion. The absence of rain in the autumn allowed a harvest with colorful, healthy grapes suitable for withering.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2004 Vintage:
Wines of great maturity, intense colors, richness, and tannic maturity with important alcohol components but well integrated by incisive acidity that creates balance. Deservedly among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella.
Evaluation of the 2004 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭✭
2003 – Best Vintages Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trend of the 2003 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
After an average winter, spring began with high temperatures, outside normal values. This persisted until the arrival of summer, characterized by consistently higher temperatures than usual and low precipitation.
This resulted in lower grape yields, an early harvest to maintain good acidity, and the enhancement of historical production areas, the hills. The early autumn with little rain allowed harvesting mature and healthy grapes, enabling excellent withering.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2003 Vintage:
A vintage perhaps not exceptional, controversial with many contrasting opinions. The 2003 vintage in Valpolicella was warm, with prominent alcohol components and tired acidity that compromised the overall balance and elegance of the wines. Probably not among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella.
Evaluation of the 2003 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭
2001 – Best Vintages Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trend of the 2001 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
The 2001 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella was characterized by a spring with average rainfall and temperatures. The summer featured relatively warm July and August, with average precipitation. Followed by a September and October with little rain and warm, dry days, allowing excellent grape ripening. The harvest was perfect with healthy grapes and good organoleptic balance.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2001 Vintage:
A fairly good vintage, but with frequent elements of roughness and tannins, in some cases, green and disjointed, alternating with wines of greater balance and finesse. Overall, perhaps not an exceptional vintage among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella due to divergent results but with some quality peaks to consider.
Evaluation of the 2001 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭
2000 – Best Vintages Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trend of the 2000 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
The 2000 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella was characterized by a spring with average rainfall and temperatures. The summer featured relatively warm July and August, with average precipitation.
Early September saw abundant rainy days, followed by hot and dry days until mid-October, allowing excellent grape ripening. The harvest was perfect with healthy grapes and good organoleptic balance.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 2000 Vintage:
Wines of good concentration and maturity of polyphenols and acidity. The 2000 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella is considered of good quality.
Evaluation of the 2000 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭✭1/2
1999 – Best Vintages Amarone della Valpolicella
Climatic Trend of the 1999 Vintage for Amarone della Valpolicella:
The 1999 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella presented a spring with average rainfall and temperatures. The summer featured warm July and August, but with precipitation at ideal times. Followed by a consistently warm and dry September, allowing vines to complete grape ripening. The harvest was perfect with healthy grapes and good organoleptic balance.
Amarone della Valpolicella Wines of the 1999 Vintage:
The 1999 vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella is a good vintage that produced wines with volume, extract, and intense colors. Important wines suitable for aging. Among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella.
Evaluation of the 1999 Vintage Amarone della Valpolicella: ✭✭✭
What is the best vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella?
What are the finest vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella? The description of the climatic trends allows us to grasp various aspects. However, it is crucial to emphasize that each winery producing Amarone della Valpolicella boasts vineyards with their unique microclimates, each with distinct characteristics that can vary significantly.
Therefore, it is essential to assess the premier vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella based on the merits of the individual wines, avoiding generalizations that may not universally hold true.
In fact, in recent years, several vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella, initially considered less favorable, have had the opportunity to redeem themselves, defying predictions. We thus encourage you to explore the distinctiveness of your preferred wines among the best vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella.
