Produced by the historic Masi Agricola, a winery owned by the Boscaini family since 1772, Costasera is considered one of the benchmark Amarones of the region. The wine is made using the traditional appassimento method, where grapes are dried for several months before fermentation, concentrating flavour, body and complexity.

At first, this wine left us wondering. The nose felt surprisingly reserved and almost closed, refusing to reveal its secrets. But patience is often rewarded with mature Amarone, and after roughly an hour in the glass, the wine began to open beautifully.

The colour was exactly what Amarone lovers hope for: deep, dark ruby red with impressive intensity. On the palate, earthy notes and leather took centre stage, supported by a remarkably long finish. What surprised us most was a distinctive honey-like sweetness that emerged only after extended aeration.

During the tasting, we asked ourselves a fair question: Is the bottle past its prime, or are these aromas normal for a 2012 Amarone?

The answer appears reassuring. Mature Amarone commonly develops secondary and tertiary aromas such as dried fruit, cocoa, coffee, leather, forest floor, tobacco and sometimes even sweet, balsamic or honey-like nuances as it ages. The 2012 vintage is still considered capable of ageing further and is often described as evolving towards dried fig, cocoa, liquorice and complex mature notes.

In short: what initially felt unusual was most likely the wine showing its age in the best possible way.

Sip happens! Verdict:
A wine that doesn't introduce itself immediately. Give it time, and it rewards you with depth, elegance and a finish that seems determined never to leave.

Grapes: Corvina 70%, Rondinella 25%, Molinara 5%
Region: Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Veneto, Italy
Vinification: Traditional Amarone appassimento method. Grapes are dried for 2-3 months on bamboo racks before fermentation, concentrating flavours, sugars and aromas.
Aging: 24 months in oak; approximately 80% in Slavonian oak casks and 20% in French Allier barriques.
Alcohol: 15.0% ABV
Price: ~CHF 45

If the Amarone was shy, the Gagliole 2015 certainly was not.

The moment we lifted our glasses for the first smell, the wine exploded with aroma. Vanilla, oak and dark fruit immediately filled the glass, making a powerful first impression. This is no coincidence. The wine spends extended time in French oak barrels and is produced by Tenuta Gagliole, an acclaimed estate in the hills of Chianti, where Sangiovese takes centre stage. The 2015 vintage consists primarily of Sangiovese with a small portion of Cabernet Sauvignon and received excellent ratings from international critics.

On the palate, we found notes of slightly unripe blackberry, firm tannins and a pleasantly dry structure. Unlike the Amarone, which revealed its layers over time, the Gagliole presented many elements at once. The challenge was not finding flavours, but understanding how they all interacted.

Professional reviews mention blackberry, spice, mocha, vanilla and fresh acidity, which aligns closely with what we experienced in the glass.

Despite its power, the wine remains balanced and elegant, showcasing the tension between ripe Tuscan fruit, oak influence and vibrant acidity.

Sip happens! Verdict:
The extrovert of the evening. Confident from the first aroma, structured on the palate and packed with character. A wine that makes an entrance and knows it.

Grapes: 98% Sangiovese, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy (Panzano / Castellina in Chianti area)
Vinification: Hand-harvested grapes, fermentation partly in oak vessels and partly in larger tanks, followed by extended maceration to build structure and complexity.
Aging: Minimum 18 months in French oak barriques (20% new oak), followed by at least 6 months bottle aging.
Alcohol: 15.0% ABV
Price: ~CHF 50