Varietals: Corvina 70%, Rondinella 25%, Molinara 5%
94 Points James Suckling
A restrained and reductive style, showing aromas of bay leaves, red and black cherries and a whiff of flowers. Full-bodied, it has a compact profile on the palate with ripe and velvety tannins, tight-knit acidity and a superprecise finish. A bit technical and young at the moment but very good.
93 Points Vinous
The 2020 Amarone Classico Costasera takes its time blossoming in the glass. It is dusty and hauntingly dark, with a whiff of dried flowers and crushed rocks that slowly evolve into wild blueberries, shavings of dark chocolate and nuances of mint. Elegant and refined, it has silken textures and a contrasting mix of sour cherries offset by sweet spice and a twang of blood orange. A coating of fine tannins frames the finish as the 2020 leaves savory herbal tones and hints of clove that linger on and on. This is a fantastic vintage for the Costasera, which I expect may get even better with time.
91 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Masi 2020 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Costasera (made with 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Molinara) shows dark fruit ripeness with meaty cherry and blackberry. Thanks to the younger vintage, you can appreciate the wine's primary intensity. A potent 15% alcohol content and a full-bodied texture sets this bottle up for a pairing with polenta and sausage. Tart cherry appears as a final send-off.
Winemaker Notes
Proud, majestic, complex and exuberant: this is Masi's gentle giant. A benchmark for the Amarone category, which, together with Barolo and Brunello, makes up the aristocracy of the Italian wine world. The product of Masi's unrivalled expertise in the appassimento technique, whereby traditional grapes for the Valpolicella Classica area - Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara - are laid out on bamboo racks to concentrate their aromas during the winter months.
Excellent as an after-dinner wine, or to go with red meat, game, quails
and richly-flavoured dishes. Very good with well-aged cheeses, such as parmesan, pecorino and gorgonzola.
