Masi Mazzano Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2012 6 Pack

96 POINTS

Monica Larner - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Of these two top-shelf wines from Masi, I like the 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Mazzano even better than the Capolongo di Torbe in 2011. The Mazzano shows more focus and more sharpness, and it opens nicely. It is surely one of the great Amarones on the market today, and this warm vintage especially brings forth the darkness, thickness and concentration you're looking for in this tradition. This powerful and indestructible wine with 16% alcohol is a blend of 75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. The wine is beautiful, opulent and deep, but it's hard to imagine a food pairing possibility that isn't wood-fired meat marinated in spicy mesquite sauce. Those exotic flavors are similar to what you find in this wine. It ages in 600-liter oak barrels for three years, with a combination of new and used wood. The Mazzano Vineyard is located in the village of Negrar and shows loose marl soils planted in terraces supported by dry stone walls. The grapes thrive at 350 to 415 meters above sea level. Some 15,200 bottles were made.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

This is a big and rich Amarone with depth and complexity. Full body with lots of dried fruits and chocolate. A long, flavorful finish. Very impressive. A classic style. Drink now.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

Plums, blackberries, violets and blueberries. Some sultanas. Full-bodied with firm, toned tannins that are polished and beautiful. It’s reserved and beautiful throughout. Goes on for minutes. Drink after 2022, but already very pretty.

95 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Enticing on the nose, with notes of ripe fruit and woodsy spice, this elegant, full-bodied Amarone shows lovely integration, marrying dense, fine-grained tannins and a tar-tinged, minerally underpinning with a range of mulled black cherry, dried thyme, loamy earth, prune and bergamot flavors that expand on the palate and finish. A beauty. Drink now through 2031. 1,266 cases made, 100 cases

95 POINTS

Falstaff

Rich, deep dark ruby with a slight garnet shimmer. Very rich nose of ripe plum and candy from the dark currant, some black truffle in the background. Fresh and juicy in the approach and course, rolls finely over the palate, fine, in the core grippy tannin, salty on the finish, good tension.

94 POINTS

Wine Spectator

A polished red, this is rich and medium- to full-bodied yet fresh and harmonious throughout. A finely meshed range of macerated black cherry, medicinal herb, loamy earth and minerally iron notes slowly expand on the palate, framed by dense, integrated tannins. The finish is savory, with lasting hints of olive, espresso and spice.

93 POINTS

Monica Larner - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

From the Mazzano vineyard in Negrar, the Masi 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Mazzano shows more ripeness, volume and roundness compared to its sibling from Campolongo di Torbe. It feels like this wine also has a bit more sweetness, and this adds lots of life and brightness to its underlying aromas of black cherry confit and blackberry preserves. Mazzano also shows a distinctly savory spice with old spice, cured tobacco and a hint of smoked bresaola or bacon. Perhaps Mazzano is horizontal where Campolongo di Torbe is vertical, this wine is wide and broad, whereas the other is linear and deep. These are two different expressions that show beautifully a decade after the grapes were harvested. The blend is 75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. Production is 15,350 bottles.

93 POINTS

Kerin O'Keefe - Wine Enthusiast

Tobacco, prune and blue flower aromas mingle with a whiff of spice and sunbaked earth. Full-bodied and enveloping, the palate features raisin, licorice and baking spice before finishing on a note of bitter almond. Supple tannins offer polished support. Drink through 2027.