Ca' La Bionda Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2017
Ca' La Bionda's Alessandro Castellani worked as a winemaker in the cellars at Chateau Margaux, Isole e Olena, and a ‘who's who’ of other top European estates before returning to oversee his family's small certified organic farm in Valpolicella. Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that these wines feel like the Veneto's answer to Burgundian Pinot Noir. All Alessandro’s wines – be it the Valpolicella Classico, Ripasso, or Amarone – possess a sophistication, minerality, and poise that, in our experience, is unique in the region. We’ve seen firsthand Ca’ La Bionda’s capacity to ‘flip’ folks from Valpolicella doubters – especially those Amaroen skeptics, of which we often count ourselves, too! – to lovers. In terms of complexity, cellar aging potential and bona fide soil character, this property is simply a cut above the rest. And it’s been that way for a while: Ca’ La Bionda was started in 1902 by Alsessandro’s great-great-grandfather and continues thriving today. Every step of the way, attention is given to tradition, as opposed to modern, quick winemaking; despite this meticulous care, Alessandro’s wines rarely receive much mainstream press, which is just fine by him.
A style often thought of only as big, burly, and overwhelmingly alcoholic, Alessandro’s Amarone delivers on intensity and depth without all the heavy, cloying trappings of more commercially produced bottlings. The estate’s calcareous-loamy, stony soils and hilly vineyards with south-eastern exposure lend freshness and elegance, essential characteristics for long-lived wines. To make Amarone, only the least compact grape bunches with the best exposure to sunlight in the vineyard are selected. After picking, grapes are dried in small wooden crates until December, during which every berry loses about 40% of its weight due to the loss of water from dehydration, creating and concentrating the wine’s unique aromas and flavors. Fruits is then fermented in stainless steel tanks and left to age for 42 months in 3000 liter oak barrels. Youthfully understated in the glass, the 2017 opens with nuances of sweet spice and mint complementing a hint of dusty cherry. Ripe strawberries, cinnamon, and hints of dark chocolate can be found throughout; however, this is not a rich and hedonistic wine. Instead, it’s lifted and vibrant, whose exceptionally pure and energetic style holds its power in reserve while impressing with a blend of vividly ripe red fruits motivated by brilliant acidity. Its minerality comes through in the finish, along with gently grippy tannins and inner rose tones. The 2017 tapers off potent yet incredibly fresh. Even with how pretty this is today, a few years of cellaring will only enhance its inherent beauty and complexity. Drink 2025 - 2034.
Shipping Policy
Due to the restrictions of many state laws, we only ship wine to those states where direct shipment from a retailer is permitted by law; currently we ship to AK, CA, DC, ID, LA, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OR, VA, WV and WY. This list is subject to change without notice. In addition, each state imposes limitations on the amount of wine any particular resident may receive by direct shipment. To ensure that you are able to order wine for direct shipment from our website, please consult the specific state requirements for your state.
Please note that all orders must be placed by persons who are at least 21 years old, and that age verification will be required upon receipt of your wine. No wine will be delivered to obviously intoxicated persons and any person unable to provide age verification will forfeit their right to receive the shipment until identification is produced. In such circumstances, the order may either be held in storage at a local depot of the shipping company until appropriate identification is produced, or shipped back to the winery. All associated costs will be the responsibility of and be charged to the customer.
Title to, and ownership of, all wine passes from Biondivino to the purchaser in the State of California and the purchaser takes all responsibility for shipping it from California to his/her home state. By arranging for transportation of the wine, Biondivino is providing a service to, and acting on behalf of the purchaser. By utilizing this service from Biondivino, purchaser is representing that he/she is acting in compliance with his/her local and state laws regarding the purchase, transportation and delivery of wine. The purchaser represents that he/she has obtained any required permission, paid any required fees, is working through properly licensed intermediaries where required, is legally entitled to take possession of wine and is legally entitled to take quantities ordered.
You will be charged the applicable sales tax, if any, assessed by your state for any shipment that Biondivino makes; otherwise California sales tax will be assessed on the sale. Shipping and handling costs are not included in the cost and will appear in the shopping cart before you complete your transaction. The carrier and service speed may vary by state and time of year, and Biondivino cannot take responsibility for the condition of any wine shipped by Ground.
Some of our products are sold on a "pre-arrival" or "futures" basis. These products are explicitly indicated as "pre-arrivals" or "futures" on our Website and newsletter. Biondivino will notify you by email when your "pre-arrivals" or "futures" have arrived and are ready to be shipped. You will be given the opportunity to coordinate the proper shipping address and method (we won't automatically ship out pre-arrival wines when they arrive).
Shipping Policy
Due to the restrictions of many state laws, we only ship wine to those states where direct shipment from a retailer is permitted by law; currently we ship to AK, CA, DC, ID, LA, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OR, VA, WV and WY. This list is subject to change without notice. In addition, each state imposes limitations on the amount of wine any particular resident may receive by direct shipment. To ensure that you are able to order wine for direct shipment from our website, please consult the specific state requirements for your state.
Please note that all orders must be placed by persons who are at least 21 years old, and that age verification will be required upon receipt of your wine. No wine will be delivered to obviously intoxicated persons and any person unable to provide age verification will forfeit their right to receive the shipment until identification is produced. In such circumstances, the order may either be held in storage at a local depot of the shipping company until appropriate identification is produced, or shipped back to the winery. All associated costs will be the responsibility of and be charged to the customer.
Title to, and ownership of, all wine passes from Biondivino to the purchaser in the State of California and the purchaser takes all responsibility for shipping it from California to his/her home state. By arranging for transportation of the wine, Biondivino is providing a service to, and acting on behalf of the purchaser. By utilizing this service from Biondivino, purchaser is representing that he/she is acting in compliance with his/her local and state laws regarding the purchase, transportation and delivery of wine. The purchaser represents that he/she has obtained any required permission, paid any required fees, is working through properly licensed intermediaries where required, is legally entitled to take possession of wine and is legally entitled to take quantities ordered.
You will be charged the applicable sales tax, if any, assessed by your state for any shipment that Biondivino makes; otherwise California sales tax will be assessed on the sale. Shipping and handling costs are not included in the cost and will appear in the shopping cart before you complete your transaction. The carrier and service speed may vary by state and time of year, and Biondivino cannot take responsibility for the condition of any wine shipped by Ground.
Some of our products are sold on a "pre-arrival" or "futures" basis. These products are explicitly indicated as "pre-arrivals" or "futures" on our Website and newsletter. Biondivino will notify you by email when your "pre-arrivals" or "futures" have arrived and are ready to be shipped. You will be given the opportunity to coordinate the proper shipping address and method (we won't automatically ship out pre-arrival wines when they arrive).