96 Eric Guido - Vinous Media

"The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Stropa is dark and imposing in the glass, smoldering up with a mix of cherry and plum sauces, cloves, dried roses and ashen stone. It impresses further, with fleshy, enveloping textures that usher in masses of red and black berries, dark chocolate and a contrasting twang of sour citrus, all under an air of sweet tobacco. With one of the most vivid nuances of mocha that I’ve ever experienced in a wine, this lingers on, mixing with brown spice and hints of blood orange. The 2012 is so layered and deep, full of character and savory to the core; in fact, this is only one-two grams of residual sugar per liter. Fans of the more serious styles of Amarone will absolutely love this wine; I know I do."