2016 Talestri - Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Passione (750ml)

Talestri takes its name from the legendary queen of the Amazons, a nod to the strength and determination of the three sisters, Anna, Lisa, and Francesca Marcato, who run the estate. Their father Francesco spent three decades producing Soave and Durello before the family acquired ten hectares of volcanic, basalt-rich hillside vineyards in eastern Valpolicella in 2008, later vinifying their own wines starting in 2015. Passione, their Amarone, stands as the flagship expression of that project and of the estate's distinctive terroir.

The wine is crafted from the traditional Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella blend, hand-harvested from the estate's best hillside plots. Following Amarone tradition, the grapes are laid out to dry slowly over several months, a process known as appassimento that concentrates their sugars and flavors before pressing. The resulting wine ferments and then ages in wood, gaining structure and complexity prior to bottling and further refinement in the bottle.

Deep ruby in the glass, Passione opens with cherries in spirit, ripe red fruit, and licorice, layered with black pepper, balsamic eucalyptus, tobacco, and dark chocolate. The palate is velvety and rich, tangy with fruit yet dry and full-bodied. It pairs naturally with braised beef, roasted game, and aged blue cheese.