The 2016 Serego Alighieri "Vaio Armaron" Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is the ultimate collector find: a perfectly mature, ten-year-old library release that lets you skip a decade of cellar waiting entirely. Rooted in living literary royalty, the estate was purchased in 1353 by Pietro Alighieri, son of "The Supreme Poet" Dante, and has remained in the direct care of 21 generations of Dante's descendants ever since. Sourced from the legendary namesake site—the very vineyard that gave Amarone its name—this benchmark bottling represents the pinnacle of classical Venetian winemaking.

Crafted via the rigorous appassimento method, hand-harvested grapes—including an heirloom clone of Molinara—rested on traditional bamboo racks for over 100 days to concentrate aroma, structure, and depth. Following three years in large oak casks, the wine received its signature four-month finish in rare 600-liter cherry wood (legno di ciliegio) barrels, a forgotten regional practice that yields an unmistakable perfume of dried sour cherry, spiced plum, and almond blossom.Capturing twin 95-point reviews from Vinous and Decanter, this 2016 reveals seamless balance, savory freshness, and velvety, fine-grained power.

Critical Acclaim:

95 Points,  Vinous Media: 

The 2016 Amarone Vaio Armaron is understated in the glass, forcing the taster to work for its delicate bouquet of confectionary spices, crushed stone, graphite and dried blueberries. This is a beauty—seamlessly silky and precise, with fresh acidity and pretty red berry fruits. Tactile mineral tones add traction toward the close. The 2016 finishes lightly tannic and quite refined, with a pleasant bitter tinge that puckers the cheeks. This is a fantastically balanced interpretation of Vaio Armaron. -Eric Guido,Dec 2023 

95 Points, Decanter Magazine:

From the estate owned by the descendants of Dante near Lake Garda, the Amarones of Serego Alighieri are rounder and smoother compared to those of Masi itself. This wine includes 10% Molinara from a specific pre-phylloxera clone of the variety grown in the vineyards, and another distinction is the partial use of cherry wood barrels for ageing, for a more oxidative maturation. Deep and dark, this opens with scents of Parma violets, cocoa and dusty books. In the mouth it's soft and supple, fleshy and silky, the aromas reflected in its flavours along with intense black cherry, bright red cherry and lavender. There's great balance here, and it's a wine to relax into over the course of an evening either with or without food. -James Button, Nov 2023

Why You'll Love It

• Ready-to-Drink Library Maturity: Arrives with a full decade of bottle development already accomplished,allowing you to bypass aggressive youthful tannins for supple, integrated complexity right now.

• Rare Cherry Wood Cask Heritage: Finished in traditional 600-liter cherry wood barrels, imparting a seductive,inimitable aromatic lift of wild cherry, almond blossom, and cocoa powder virtually nonexistent in modern Amarone.

• Living Dante Alighieri Lineage: Sourced from the historic cru credited with naming the entire Amarone category,continuously farmed by 21 generations of Dante's direct descendants for over 670 years.

How to Serve It

• Give It Air: Decant for 60 to 90 minutes prior to pouring to awaken tertiary layers of pipe tobacco, dried figs, and spice while softening its muscular frame.

• Ideal Cellar Temperature: Serve slightly cool at 62°F–65°F (17°C–18°C) in large Bordeaux or Burgundy stems to focus the delicate cherry-wood aromatics without emphasizing alcohol.

• Classic Winter Table Pairings: Built for rich, savory fare—pair alongside slow-braised beef short ribs, venison medallions, rich risotto all'Amarone, or crystalline shards of 36-month aged Parmigiano-Reggiano.