Ambrosan Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva 2017 – Nicolis

The elegant power of Valpolicella Classica

Ambrosan Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva 2017 by Nicolis is a distinguished red wine from Veneto, combining concentration, aromatic depth and a powerful structure while expressing the distinctive character of Valpolicella Classica.

It is made from carefully selected grapes that are dried before fermentation to concentrate their sugars, aromas and extract. The result is a rich, enveloping wine in which ripe fruit meets balsamic notes, spices and the complexity developed through extended oak ageing.

The 2017 vintage displays a particularly rich and powerful profile, with aromas of ripe plum, blackberry and black cherry, complemented by spices and delicate toasted and vanilla notes. A wine of remarkable substance, designed for those who appreciate depth, persistence and evolution in the glass.

The winemaker's notes

Ambrosan Riserva represents one of the most intense and concentrated expressions of Valpolicella Classica. The drying process brings the fruit to a profound level of ripeness, while extended ageing helps integrate the alcohol, tannic structure and oak-derived spices. The 2017 vintage particularly highlights the richness of dark fruit, supported by balsamic nuances and a persistent finish.

— Yuri Stefani

Why we chose it

We selected Ambrosan by Nicolis for its ability to express the depth and authority of Amarone without sacrificing aromatic complexity.

Careful grape selection and extended drying underpin its concentration, while maturation in oak, using both Slavonian oak casks and barriques, builds a layered profile of dried fruit, spices, cocoa and balsamic nuances.

The 2017 vintage offers a particularly rich and generous interpretation, with an enveloping palate and remarkable persistence. It is a wine to reserve for special occasions, an elegant dinner or a leisurely tasting that allows its aromas to unfold in the glass.

The region

Valpolicella Classica, northwest of Verona, is one of Veneto's most distinctive wine-growing areas. Its hills, varied exposures and diverse soils contribute to wines with a strong sense of place.

Amarone is produced using the traditional grape-drying technique known as appassimento. After harvesting, the grapes are left to dry in dedicated rooms before fermentation. During this process, they lose water and concentrate sugars, aromatic compounds and extract, producing structured, intense wines with excellent ageing potential.

Ambrosan comes from the Nicolis family's vineyard of the same name in San Pietro in Cariano, in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, with a south-western exposure.

The winery

Nicolis is a family-run winery based in San Pietro in Cariano, in Valpolicella Classica. Its production focuses on the area's traditional grape varieties and on a deep understanding of the techniques that define the great red wines of the Verona region.

Ambrosan is one of the winery's flagship wines: an Amarone Classico Riserva that highlights grape selection, traditional drying and the time required to develop complexity and balance.

The winemaking approach combines spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and extended ageing, partly in Slavonian oak casks and partly in barriques.

Technical sheet

Grape varieties: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Croatina

Region: Veneto, Italy

Area: Valpolicella Classica, San Pietro in Cariano

Harvest: Manual

Grape drying: Approximately 4 months in a dedicated drying room

Fermentation: Spontaneous, using indigenous yeasts, in stainless steel tanks for approximately 30 days

Maturation: Approximately 30 months, partly in Slavonian oak casks and partly in barriques

Bottle ageing: Approximately 8 months

Alcohol: 16% ABV

Tasting notes

Colour

Deep, intense garnet red, with ruby reflections that may evolve towards more mature tones with bottle age.

Nose

Rich and complex, with aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, black cherry and dried fruit. Balsamic herbs, cloves and sweet spices emerge alongside cocoa, tobacco, leather and delicate toasted and vanilla nuances.

Palate

Full-bodied, warm and structured, with considerable concentration and an enveloping texture. Ripe fruit intertwines with spices and balsamic notes, while oak contributes depth and complexity. The finish is long and persistent, with lingering dark-fruit and spice flavours.

Food pairings

The structure and aromatic richness of this Amarone make it an excellent match for flavourful dishes and slow-cooked preparations:

• Braised beef

• Slow-braised veal cheek

• Roast beef and game

• Wild boar stew

• Roast lamb

• Roast duck

• Mature, full-flavoured cheeses

• Amarone risotto

It is also an excellent meditation wine, to be enjoyed slowly at the end of a meal.

Serving temperature: 17–18°C. We recommend opening the bottle approximately one hour before serving and using large wine glasses to allow its aromatic profile to develop.