Masi Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 1.5L Magnum

Amarone in a magnum bottle — that means more than just double the quantity: Large formats mature more slowly and develop a depth over the years that is hardly achieved in the 0.75-liter bottle.

Masi is one of the few wineries in Valpolicella Classico that have significantly shaped the Appassimento method. Family-owned for over 250 years, the Boscaini family works with indigenous grape varieties: Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, cultivated on the hills of the Classico zone west of Verona. For their Costasera, the harvested grapes are dried on bamboo racks for about four months—the loss of water concentrates sugars, aromas, and polyphenols before fermentation begins. The wine then matures for three to four years in large oak barrels.

In the glass, the Costasera displays aromas of dark cherry, dried fig, and plum, underpinned by notes of dark chocolate, tobacco, and a hint of cinnamon. On the palate, it is full-bodied with velvety, ripe tannins and a warm structure balanced by subtle acidity. The finish is long, spicy, and slightly cocoa-like.

Recommended serving temperature: 18°C. Decant at least one hour before drinking. Pairs well with braised beef, venison ragù served over wide pasta, or strong hard cheeses like Grana Padano Riserva. The magnum bottle is suitable for tables of six or more people—or for wines that will age for several years in the cellar.