Quercus Vino

February 2024

Matt’s review:

2019 Corte Figaretto Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Valpantena Brolo del Figaretto – This family run winery is situated minutes north of Verona in the heart of Valpolicella’s Valpantena Valley. It’s here where the winemaking team of Mauro (father) and Sofia (daughter) produce their impressive Brolo (wall) del Figaretto Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Valpantena. This wine caught my attention a few years ago with its super approachable, ripe, balanced, and complex profile. Each vintage I’ve tasted since has impressed so when I visited Verona this winter it was first winery I visited, and as expected, it impressed.

Before touring the winery with Mauro and Sofia, we drove up the valley a few minutes to arrive at Corte Figaretto’s Vigneto di Maroni (Maroni Vineyard) beside their Maso Maroni Agriturismo wine retreat (a short hop, skip, and a jump from Verona).

Picture beautiful south facing terraced vineyards in an amphitheater setting high up in the hills of Valpolicella. Ever better, picture waking up and enjoying a coffee by the pool that overlooks those same vineyards at Maso Maroni. The chalet and terraced single vineyard are a relatively recent addition to the winery’s portfolio of 11 hectares in Valpantena, having acquired the vineyard in 2017 and completed some significant restoration works in the years following.

Although this review is principally focused on their Brolo del Figaretto Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Valpantena, which I’ve tasted vintages from 2015-2019 and been impressed with each, it’s so nice to showcase expressive Valpolicella Superiore when you encounter them. Corte Figaretto’s 2020 Valpolicella Superiore impressed me. My first time tasting it this winter and I found it to be a very expressive and well balanced wine. This single vineyard low yield wine is a great introduction to the Valpantena terroir the winemakers are working with throughout their portfolio. At 14.5%, it’s a big wine, although there’s no appassimento in this, rather a slightly later harvest which contributes to the full bodied and ripe characteristics. The style showcases the single vineyard terroir, it’s fresh and vibrant, with lots of spicy and crunchy fruit you expect in an expressive Superiore. Perfumed and beautifully structured, showing red and dark fruit, cherry, fig, plum, sweet tobacco, with a slight rustic character. The fine silky tannins produce an elegant texture where the aromas repeat on the long refreshing finish. Enjoy over the next five plus years. 93 points.

Now, the main attraction, 2019 Amarone! Medium ruby, slight garnet hue, the nose shows dried cherries, sweet dark fruits, dark chocolate, incense, and sweet tobacco. Palate repeats, harmonious, more dried cherry, plum, sweet spices, and sage on the finish. Velvety smooth with fine grained tannins. Showing wonderfully now but this is a wine you’ll want to enjoy over the next decade and beyond with braised dishes, grilled steak with Port reduction, or firm aged cheese. Tasted February 2024. 93+ points.

Bonus review: 2015 Corte Figaretto Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Valpantena Brolo del Figaretto – Perfumed with expressive dried dark fruit, cassis, black forest cake, savoury herbs, and graphite. The palate repeats with the dried fruit evolving with more savoury notes emerging amongst the orange pekoe tea, and dark chocolate notes. Great balance and texture, it’s evolving and gaining additional complexity. Great time to follow its journey. Enjoy over the next five-ten years. 93 points.

PS: Sofia also mentioned they’ll be releasing a Syrah in the next two years… Take note as this will be a wine to seek out based on the quality and charm of their Valpolicella wines.

Highly recommend checking out Corte Figaretto, especially if you enjoy ripe full bodied Amarone and expressive Valpolicella Superiore, as I do!