Tedeschi

VINTAGE 2020

Vinous – 93+

James Suckling – 93
The wines from this reliable producer are consistently delicious, in a modern style without ever straying too far into excess. Kirsch, alpine spruce, candied orange zest, violets and camphor. The oak finds confluence with the refined grape tannins to compress the fruit with a welcome restraint. There’s a touch of sweetness to the vintage. Age and the complexity that comes with it will serve this wine well. Sustainable. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator – 92
This structured, medium- to full-bodied red shows good length and tension while still offering expressive notes of sun-dried cherry, dark chocolate, spiced orange peel and smoke. Lively on the palate, with chewy tannins firming the herb-laced finish. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Rossignola. Drink now through 2035.

VINTAGE 2019

Decanter – 97

James Suckling – 93
Almost coffee-stained dried red berries on the nose, following through to a full, silky palate with fine tannins that have sunk into the wine nicely, carrying the intense bead of berry and dark cherry fruit through a long finish. Sustainable. Drinkable now, but will improve in the bottle.

Vinous – 92

Wine Enthusiast – 94

Wine Spectator – 91
A round, supple red, with a generous core of mulled cherry, dried fig, warm brown bread and ashy smoke notes accented by an overtone of dried Mediterranean herbs. Juicy and lightly chewy on the lingering finish, with more smoke, herb and spice elements emerging. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Rossignola. Drink now through 2029. 12,500 cases made, 600 cases imported.Best from 2027 through 2037. 700 cases made, 100 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2016

Decanter – 96

James Suckling – 93
There’s a very pleasant, almost exotic edge to the aromas and flavors here, suggesting dates and raisins, together with hints of black-cardamom and kalonji spice. Full-bodied with fine, velvety tannins giving a silky texture, carrying a plump and equally silky bead of fruit through the long finish. Hard to resist now, but this will age very well, too. Drink or hold.

Vinous – 95+

Wine Advocate – 95
The top-shelf wine from Tedeschi is the 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva La Fabriseria, made with 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella and 5% Oseleta. This is a superrich and concentrated red with an impenetrable appearance. It’s Amarone, baby, so brace yourself for a very high 17% alcohol content, big flavor intensity and phenolic power that comes with a wine made with air-dried fruit. By the time the dried grapes are pressed, they’ve lost up to 30% of their water volume, and everything—sugar, tannins and acidity—all go into hyperdrive. It ages in Slavonian oak casks for 48 months. A wine like this is built to last. Only 1,400 bottles were created from a special site at up to 500 meters in elevation with pinkish marl limestone soils rich in calcium carbonate and iron oxide. The first vintage made was 1983.

Wine Enthusiast – 95

VINTAGE 2015

Decanter – 93

James Suckling – 94
Sumptuous notes of balsamic, mint, dried thyme, kirsch and mountain herb. A raft of tannins doused with dried tobacco leaf and clove, compress the fruit as much as promote it. The thick-skinned oseleta is in the blend, contributing immensely to the firm structural lattice. Drive, power and length, with no dearth of freshness. Excellent Amarone for those seeking power as much as freshness. This has a very traditional, savoury air to it. One glass is not quite sufficient in this case. Drink or hold.

Vinous – 95

Wine Advocate – 96
The top-shelf wine from the Tedeschi family is their 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva la Fabriseria. The wine is a careful assembly of 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella and 5% Oseleta, all aged in oak for 48 months. The appassimento process has produced a powerful and muscular wine (with 16.5% alcohol) that opens to thick layers of black fruit, prune, dried cherry, spice, mesquite smoke, iron and sweet rum cake. With only 2,500 bottles made, this full-bodied, blockbuster wine is a lesson in all the beautiful excesses that extreme Amarone has to offer.

Wine Spectator – 94
A pure beam of crème de cassis and baked black cherry fruit flavors is accented by an enticing range of sandalwood, licorice and Earl Grey tea leaf notes in this finely meshed, medium- to full-bodied red. Long and mouthwatering, with a rich hint of fig cake and a tang of minerally iron playing on the lightly chewy finish. Drink now through 2031. 210 cases made, 30 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2016

Decanter – 97

James Suckling – 96
Shows a lot of reserve on the nose with a tight package of baked red-cherry aromas and some bright mineral, almost wet-stone character. Mediterranean herbs, too. Full-bodied palate that’s again under control, but there’s a dense package of firm, fine tannin, dried fruit and spice waiting to burst out. Hard to believe this is 17% alcohol, it’s so well constructed. This will be superb in a year or two and onwards, if you can resist the temptation now. Best from 2023.

Vinous – 94

Wine Advocate – 94
With fruit from an exciting vineyard with gray marl limestone soils outside the “classico” zone of the appellation, the Tedeschi 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Maternigo is a dark and brooding wine. No doubt, the intensity is there, but the wine is actually quite balanced and even-keeled. It never feels too heavy or dense. There is some lingering sweetness, but the mouthfeel is creamy and soft in texture. However, the 17% alcohol content is a lot. Only 6,600 bottles were released.

Wine Enthusiast – 95

Wine Spectator – 92
A tightly meshed, full-bodied red, with rich and saturated flavors of macerated blackberry and black cherry fruit creating a juicy cloak around dense, fine tannins. The sweet fruit is nicely counterbalanced by savory threads of dried sage, menthol, smoke and spice, which are woven throughout and linger on the finish. Decant or cellar this in the short term. Best after 2025. 550 cases made, 50 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2018

James Suckling – 94
A precise and restrained wine with deep and intense red and black cherries, black pepper, fresh roses and violets on the nose. The attack is muscular and full bodied, with firm, chalky tannins that are well packed yet extracted. Fresh and savory in the finish. Try after 2026.

Wine Advocate – 94
First made in 1964, this is one of the most celebrated and visible top-end wines produced by the Tedeschi family. The 2018 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi is quite powerful from a phenolic point of view, showing thick texture and granular tannins. It’s also quite potent in terms of its alcohol content (recorded at 16.5%), plus it shows punchy acidity. All of these elements are taken up a big notch in terms of intensity in this vintage. This blend of 30% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and 10% Oseleta (with a few other local grapes) results in a production of 6,600 bottles.

VINTAGE 2017

James Suckling – 97
Restrained and deep nose of black pepper, earth, blackberries, blueberries and bay leaves. The attack is lush, dense and velvety, with a full body, refined tannins, firm acidity and great balance throughout. Long, amazing finish with dark chocolate notes. Sustainable. Best after 10 years at least, but still enjoyable now.

Vinous – 94

Wine Enthusiast – 93

Wine Spectator – 94
Sanguine hints of game and iron on the nose are a savory underpinning for the palate’s flavors of dried raspberry, black cherry coulis, tobacco and cocoa powder. This is firm, sculpted and tightly meshed today but should open nicely in the glass or with cellaring, expanding with just a little air to reveal a spiced thread of black pepper, paprika and mineral that gives a zesty edge to the finish. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta. Best from 2027 through 2037. 700 cases made, 100 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2019

James Suckling – 95
The name is an acronym reflecting the names of the three siblings. Fine, pure fruit of the density and amplitude that one expects from Amarone. Yet the wine is impressively fresh, marked by a gorgeous skein of acidity that keeps it light on its feet while towing good, sappy length. A paradox of power and balletic detail, almost suggestive of a warm vintage Pinot such are the redder fruit allusions. Dangerously drinkable. An excellent, somewhat modern interpretation of Amarone. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

Vinous – 95

Wine Spectator – 92
A medium- to full-bodied red, with a fragrant waft of eucalyptus and tobacco leaf elements accenting the core of soft cherry, steeped raspberry and singed orange peel notes. This wine’s bright, focused flavors are integrated with fine, chalky tannins and tangy acidity. Corvinone, Corvina, Rondinella and Oseleta. Drink now through 2034. 560 cases made, 60 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2021

James Suckling – 92
This shows aromas of dark cherries, white pepper and touches of tile and stemmy herbs. Juicy, with succulent fruit intersected by fresh acidity and chalky tannins. Very enjoyable. A blend of corvina, corvinone, rondinella and a bit of oseleta. Drink now.

Wine Advocate – 93
The Tedeschi 2021 Valpolicella Classico Superiore La Fabriseria reveals a dark core of black and purple fruits with tart flavors, barbecue spice and campfire ember. The wine is quite acidic, and that freshness helps to cut through some of the heavier aspects of this Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta blend. Fruit comes from a well-ventilated vineyard site that sits on a ledge of land in the Classico zone. This wine boasts a promising gastronomic side, especially if fried chicken or breaded veal steaks are on the menu. This is definitely one of the more important interpretations of the Valpolicella Classico Superiore classification.

Wine Spectator – 91
A savory thread of cured tobacco and fresh earth winds through a ripe core of black cherry and plum skin flavors in this medium-bodied red. Silky on the palate, though well-defined tannins firm the finish of violet, mocha and anise. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta. Drink now through 2035. 560 cases made, 50 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2019

Decanter – 94

James Suckling – 92
A tight nose of dried fruit, mainly plums and black berries, opening up a little on the medium-bodied palate, but the fruit is essentially still wrapped up in a cocoon of fine, lightly drying tannin. This clearly needs more time in the bottle to unravel, but is showing good promise. Sustainable. Try decanting now, but best from 2024.

Vinous – 92+

Wine Advocate – 92
This is a long-standing and popular production from Tedeschi. The 2019 Valpolicella Classico Superiore La Fabriseria (with 6,600 bottles released) has sweet cherry syrup or crème de cassis that transitions to a savory side with hints of spice and tarry smoke. The wine presents bright flavors and enough structure to pair next to a heavy meat ragù and homemade pasta.

Wine Enthusiast – 90

VINTAGE 2021

James Suckling – 92
Aromas of thyme, dried flowers, red fruit, subtle ground coffee and pepper. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with silky tannins and a very lovely, seductive and balanced core of fruit. A really enjoyable red. Drink now.

Wine Spectator – 90
A sanguine red, with iron, game and smoke notes on the nose that transition to underscore the palate’s bright red currant and cherry fruit flavors. This is medium bodied and fresh, with a plush quality as well as a touch of tension imparted by the chalky tannins. Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella. Drink now through 2031. 1,150 cases made, 60 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2020

James Suckling – 92
Aromas of dried fruit and nuts follow through to a medium-bodied palate with a tight bead of bright fruit and fine, lightly drying tannins. Very direct and focused with a good forward drive of acidity. Give this another while for the tannins to dissolve further. Try from mid-2024.

Vinous – 92

VINTAGE 2021

James Suckling – 93
A perfumed ripasso with nervy aromas of pepper, dried flowers, fresh stems and a touch of raspberries. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, agile and lively, with stimulating freshness accompanied by subtle, well-delineated red fruit. The balance between freshness and fruit drives this wine. Drink now.

Wine Spectator – 91
A sleek red, defined by fine, taut tannins, this offers a lovely range of fig cake, dried cherry and rosemary, and mocha flavors. Showing concentration without excessive weight, this is minerally on the fresh, focused finish. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Rossignola. Drink now through 2031. 8,400 cases made, 500 cases imported.

VINTAGE 2020

James Suckling – 93
Quite a stern, savory nose with only a hint of the mixed dried and fresh berries that open up on the palate. This is medium-bodied, tight and focused, with lightly firm tannins that do little to obstruct the fruit flow. Long finish, where the more savory elements take back the reins. Super focus and control here. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast – 91

VINTAGE 2019

James Suckling – 92
A tight nose of bright red and black berries here, with hints of violets and chocolate powder. Medium-bodied with fresh, citrus-like acidity injecting energy and focus. No tannin to speak of until right at the end, where there’s a bit of grip. Sustainable. This is fairly uncomplicated and delicious to drink now, but will gain more complexity with another year in bottle.

Vinous – 92

Wine Advocate – 91
Showing a slightly evolved and savory approach, the Tedeschi 2019 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Capitel San Rocco (with 10,000 bottles made) takes the complexity and intensity of a Ripasso up a notch or two. The winemaking team at Tedeschi always does fantastic work. The effect here is smooth and silky with dried cherry and plum.

VINTAGE 2022

James Suckling – 90
Lush cherries and plums dominate on the nose of this Valpolicella, with hints of bay leaves and pepper. The juicy, medium-bodied palate shows chewy acidity and tight, chalky, crunchy tannins. Savory in the finish. Drink or hold.

VINTAGE 2021

Wine Enthusiast – 91
Red currants and wild strawberries dance a delicate floral waltz in this fresh and lively Valpolicella. The bright acidity and soft tannins are the perfect partners, creating a delightful and easy-drinking wine that’s always ready for a good time.

VINTAGE 2020

James Suckling – 93
Interesting nutty, sandy, oaky edge to the nose, with an underlay of dried but bright berries. Medium-bodied with sturdy tannins that need a little time to soften, which will add greater breadth and length to the wine. Drinkable now, but this polished Valpo will blossom with another year in bottle and is worth waiting for. Best from 2025.

Wine Enthusiast – 90
Lifted and fresh aromas of macerated cherries, spiced plum, anise and wild herbs define the nose of this Valpolicella. It’s giving and generous on the palate with plump mixed berry fruits dusted with cocoa and espresso and finishing with dried leaf and bright acidity.

VINTAGE 2022

James Suckling – 90
The only Valpolicella sans oak. This is akin to a riper Bardolino or, put it this way, a Veneto Beaujolais as it is so frisky and vibrant. Lightweight and sappy, with a thread of crunchy acidity towing sour red fruits, damsons and dried herbs long and easy. This is ready for the fridge and the summer. Delicious! Among the best young Valpolicella tasted in some time. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast – 90

VINTAGE 2021

James Suckling – 90
A medium-bodied, fruity and crunchy red with cherries, sweet spices and leafy notes. Joyful and succulent. Sustainable. Drink now.

VINTAGE 2023

James Suckling – 92
A multilayered wine with complexity and depth. The nose shows pink grapefruit, citrus leaves, spring flowers and stone fruit. Medium-bodied, it has a silky texture and a leafy touch, yet it’s zesty and tense. Drink or hold.