Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG ‘Monte Sant’Urbano’ 2016

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

This is a property that I’ve followed for many years, being a fan of savory Amarone that can stand the test of time. In fact, that’s exactly what the Speri winery does best, with their focus on delivering pure fruit, high natural acidity, lots of minerality and low residual sugar. Frankly, If you’re looking for the richer and sweeter style of the category, you’re better off searching elsewhere.

Eric Guido

Released only in the best vintages, from the steeply terraced Sant’Urbano cru, which hosts old vines growing in volcanic soils at elevations between 280 and 380 meters, it’s a single vineyard blend of 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Corvinone.

Although Amarone is a powerful and concentrated wine, the Speri style is more medium bodied, highlighting elegance and finesse. The bouquet is intense with cherries, spice, minerals and jammy notes, the palate rich, concentrated and structured with flavours that linger on and on.

About Speri

We love the purity in fruit, and to show the personality of our grapes and methods, we like very clean wines and not ‘overworked’.

Luca Speri

The Speri’s presence in this winemaking heartland goes back to 1874, though the original homestead and cellars are even older – 1580. From generation to generation for well over a century, the Speri family have handed down a heritage of pride in their land and passion for its fruits. The family operation now comprises of Carlo (pr/admin), vineyardists Eliseo, Marco and Giampietro, winemakers Paolo and Alberto, marketing manager Giampaolo, and the fifth generation Luca and Chiara Speri.

In the Vineyard

The family now have 60 hectares of organically farmed, autochtonous vines in the finest Classico districts, divided into three distinct crus; La Roverina, Sant’Urbano and La Roggia. In these hills the vines enjoy a mild climate that you would not expect at this northerly latitude and are planted at a much higher density than the appellation’s average using organic farming methods.

In the Winery

For the Ripasso

Ripasso means to ‘go over again’ and is one of the appellations most ancient traditions, and also a little confusing. At Speri it is made by refermenting Valpolicella on the vinacce (marc) from the Amarone. Valpolicella completes its fermentation in cement and then in March, following the first pressing of the Amarone, it is refermented on 30% of the Amarone vinnace for 8 days. Then it’s back into cement for the second alcoholic fermentation before maturation in large oak for one year. The wine is a deep plum colour, aromatic with a solid core of fruit, balancing the richness found in Amarone with the assertiveness of Valpolicella. Notes of red fruits, spice, fruitcake and chocolate, the palate is rich and mouthfilling with a long finish.

For the Amarone

Select bunches are hand picked in the last two weeks of September and dried for 110-120 days, losing over 40% of their initial weight. In January, the grapes are de-stemmed and soft-pressed and both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation are carried out in large oak. The wine is aged for 3 years in a combination of tonneaux and Slavonian oak barrels, followed by 1 year in the bottle.

The only barrique you’ll find in the Speri cellars is used for the Recioto La Roggia, as they prefer 500-liter tonneaux and large Slavonian oak. As  They must be doing something right, because whether you’re tasting a 20-year-old or a 5-year-old Amarone Sant’Urbano, its pedigree is undeniable.

The 2016 Vintage at Speri

From Eric Guido, Vinous:

The majority of Amarone producers are just now releasing their 2016s into the market. This is a vintage that I find quite exciting, even though most of the winemakers I’ve spoken with tend to favor their more fruit-intense and concentrated 2015s. The reason the 2016s are so interesting to me is their combination of dark florals and fruit, mixed with fresh acidity and a more mineral style. While the 2015s are already showing brilliantly, the 2016s will require some time, and most display more savory characteristics than usually associated with these wines. The vintage was characterized by slightly higher-than-average precipitation and cool temperatures throughout. This resulted in lower yields, yet also an extended growing season that packed a lot of character into the later-ripening varieties. Balanced, elegant, fresh and with the structure for many years of cellaring; I think, with time, 2016 will be recognized as a modern-day classic. 

Where in the World is Speri?

Speri is located in Veneto in Valpolicella specifically the Valpolicella Classica Zone.