2018 Ca’ La Bionda, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

While summer may not scream “Amarone,” it was our last chance to snag the final five cases of the 2018 Ca’ La Bionda Amarone della Valpolicella on the West Coast. This is one of the most gorgeous renditions we’ve tasted in a long time—it was the highlight of a long tasting day last week. The Amarone category is all over the map—from traditionally old-school to modern, extracted-bombastic styles. Ca’ La Bionda sits firmly in the traditional camp, marked by beautiful aromatics and mineral restraint. It’s a rare breed that channels the elegance of Burgundy while staying true to its deep Veneto roots. Crafted by the Castellani family in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico zone, this wine is made from organically farmed Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara. The grapes are dried slowly using the traditional appassimento method, then aged in large Slavonian oak casks. No flashy barriques, no overextraction—just purity, finesse, and terroir. Amarone is an expensive category by natur