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Review #46 – Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella DOP Superiore 2007

By Mark Law Leave a Comment

Vial Test Tube Of Wine With Invitation

The contents of this vial are not suspicious at all

A few days ago I received a message through the contact page of my blog: someone from Bootleggers, a small start up that imports boutique wine from around the world to Australia, would like to send me quite a special sample pack and would love my delivery details.

While I have never contacted other parties for free wine, partly because I wanted to maintain impartiality and rise above the agendas that plague the wine industry, I don’t suppose any dedicated wine writer would seriously reject an offer to send them wine when reached out to.

Bootleggers Gift Box

What’s in the box?

Today, I received the delivery – A crafted wooden box containing a stemless Riedel wine glass, an vial of deep garnet wine (using wine note descriptors for colour has become a habit now), a press release… and an invitation to a very special wine tasting in the future.

Reidel Glass Test Tube Vial Wine

Riedel stemless wine glass and vial of deep garnet liquid

Invitation with Press Release in box

Invitation and Press Release

According to the invitation, I held in my hands a sample of Dal Forno Romano Valpoicella DOP Superiore 2007.

Let’s see what it tastes like…

The Stats

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Appearance

  • Clarity: Clear
  • Intensity: Deep
  • Colour: Garnet

Nose

  • Condition: Clean
  • Intensity: Pronounced
  • Development: Developing

Palate

  • Sweetness: Dry
  • Acidity: Medium+
  • Tannin: Medium+
  • Alcohol: Medium+
  • Body: Full
  • Flavor Intensity: Medium+
  • Finish: Medium+

Conclusions

  • Quality: Outstanding
  • Readiness/Cellaring: Can drink now, potential to cellar
  • Identity: Italy / Valpolicella / Corvina, Corvina Grossa, Rondinella, Croatina, Oseleta
  • Price: Premium ($159)

Notes

  • Long, thick tears, highly stained
  • Aromas of potpourri, dried flowers, dates, prunes, cinnamon, clove, pepper
  • Flavours of stewed prunes, spices, cinnamon, dried rose, dried violets
  • Unbelievable complexity of flavours and aromas, silky tannins and good lingering finish
  • Drink by itself to appreciate the full spectrum of flavours, or match with rib-eye steak, lamb, braised meats

Elaboration

This is probably my first “Outstanding” rating for a wine… and for something that was given to me for free? Am I slipping into the dark side?

However, I have qualified this decision with my notes above, and judging from the sheer complexity of flavour, it’s balance, and the tasting experience as a whole, I could not in good conscience give it any lower a rating. This wine is not merely “Very Good”. It is Outstanding, and deserves to be pointed out as such.

I have tasted Amarone before, and have written with great respect for the style. I also like my big Barossa Shirazes, so it could be said that this style of wine appeals to me directly. Perhaps a writer who has a greater affinity for lighter-bodied Pinot Noir would rate this wine lower, but I can only hope that professionalism would prevent either of us from straying too far from the moderate, balanced path.

Press Release Dal Forno Romano Amarone

Press Release. Click image for enlarged view

Now, about the actual invitation. The included press release is certainly a compelling story and a great marketing tool – who hasn’t dreamed of lucking into an outstanding deal and stealing it away before anyone could notice?

The sample wine received here was “merely” a Valpolicella. I can only imagine how much richer an experience an Amarone from the same producer would offer.

For a simple comparison (and brace yourself for the price difference), see links from Bootleggers below:

  • The wine tasted in this article – 2007 Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella D.O.P Superiore
  • The wine to be offered at the future tasting – 2008 Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella D.O.P

Read more: The Main Attribute of a Wine Snob

Related Posts

  • Dal Forno Romano Tasting with BootleggersDal Forno Romano Tasting with Bootleggers
  • Review #25 – Zonin Amarone della Valpolicella 2010Review #25 – Zonin Amarone della Valpolicella 2010
  • Review #39 – Chateau Musar Hochar Père et Fils 2007Review #39 – Chateau Musar Hochar Père et Fils 2007
  • Review #34 – Tamburlaine Members Reserve Chardonnay 2007Review #34 – Tamburlaine Members Reserve Chardonnay 2007

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July 29, 2015 Filed Under: Wine Reviews

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