Paolo Cottini · Valpolicella Classica · Veneto
Amarone della Valpolicella
Classico 2018 DOCG
Technical Details
The Wine
| Producer | Az. Agr. Paolo Cottini di Riolfi Sara |
| Appellation | Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Grape | 55% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella |
| Region | Valpolicella Classica, Veneto |
| Appassimento | 90-110 days in fruttai lofts |
| Fermentation | 35 days at 16-18°C (from Dec. 1) |
| Oak Aging | 12 mo. Slavonian oak (3,000 L) |
| Barrel Aging | 12 mo. French barriques |
| Bottle Aging | 12 months before release |
| Aging Trajectory | 10-15 years |
Critical Notes
The Glass
Falstaff · Trophy Amarone 2023
"Bright rich ruby; aromas of light bread notes, sourdough, behind rich tones of blueberry and liquorice; hearty, gripping tannin with sweet fruit texture."
2018 Vintage Character
"Enjoyable, lively Amarones that may not make history but please those who favor a touch more elegance and acidity." Red cherry, pomegranate, herbal nuances. The red-fruit register rather than the black.
The Vintage
2018: Elegance Where the Market Expected Power
Where 2017 delivered concentration and power, 2018 delivered something rarer in Amarone: restraint. Irregular growing conditions across the Veneto produced grapes with lower anthocyanin and tannin content than either the preceding or following year. The result was lighter structure, more pronounced natural acidity, and a flavor profile that skews toward the red fruit register (cherry, pomegranate, herbal nuances) rather than the black fruit and baked plum of classic powerful vintages.
The critical consensus: "Enjoyable, lively Amarones that may not make history but please those who favor a touch more elegance and acidity." That is not a backhanded compliment in the context of wine program placement. The 2018 is the Amarone that pairs well at the table, opens without needing two hours of decanting, and works for guests who find classic Amarone overwhelming. It is Amarone for sommeliers who want to sell the style, not just cellar it.
The 10-to-15-year aging trajectory means it is accessible now and will continue to develop through the early 2030s. The 2017 is the wine for special-occasion and cellar programs. The 2018 is the wine for right-now premium pours and occasions where the elegance of the style matters more than its power.
Dual Vintage Offering
The Case for Both
The 2017 is for your cellar and your special-occasion by-the-glass program. The 2018 is for your right-now program. Same estate, same six parcels, same appassimento process, but the vintage delivers a fundamentally different wine in each case.
| 2017 | 2018 | |
| Structure | Powerful, tannic | Lighter, more elegant |
| Fruit | Black (baked plum, blackberry) | Red (cherry, pomegranate) |
| Acidity | Standard | Higher, fresher |
| Aging | 15-20 years | 10-15 years |
| Accessibility | Needs time, benefits from decanting | Approachable sooner, more food-friendly |
| Best use | Cellar program & special occasions | Right-now drinking & near-term pours |
| Score | Falstaff 91 | Falstaff 91 |
At the Table
Food Pairings
The 2018’s higher acidity and lighter structure make it more versatile at the table than a classic powerful Amarone year. The red fruit profile and fresh finish work with dishes that would overwhelm the 2017.
- Osso buco in white wine. The lighter touch of the 2018 works beautifully here
- Duck breast with cherry reduction, red fruit meets red fruit
- Braised lamb with root vegetables and herbs
- Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano 36 months, as a meditation close
- Risotto all’Amarone. The 2018’s acidity keeps the richness in balance
- Pasta e fagioli with guanciale. The northern Italian comfort match
Service Recommendation
Open 30 minutes before service, or decant briefly. The 2018 is approachable without the extended decanting the 2017 requires. Serve at 17-18°C. The cherry and pomegranate fruit is forward on opening; secondary notes of dried herbs and mineral depth emerge with air.
Why This Wine Matters
The same six parcels. The same three grape varieties. The same 90 to 110 days hanging in the drying lofts. But 2018 is not 2017, and that difference defines the placement argument for each.
Where the 2017 is power and black fruit and 15 years in a cellar, the 2018 is elegance and red cherry and the near term. Critics called 2018 "enjoyable, lively Amarones that please those who favor a touch more elegance and acidity." That is not a consolation prize. That is the vintage for tables that find classic Amarone overwhelming, for the by-the-glass pour that introduces the style, for the pairing that doesn't require the kitchen to match the weight of the wine.
Two bottles, same producer, same Classico zone, same Falstaff 91. One for the cellar, one for the table. A dual-vintage offer that makes a genuine placement argument instead of filling a single slot.
Trade Materials
English PDF Italiano PDF Espanol PDFCommon Questions
Paolo Cottini Amarone 2018: Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Paolo Cottini Amarone 2018 different from the 2017?
Same estate, same six Classico-zone parcels, same 90 to 110 day appassimento. The difference is the vintage. The 2017 is powerful and black-fruited with a 15 to 20 year cellar life; the cooler 2018 is more elegant and red-fruited (cherry, pomegranate) with higher acidity and a 10 to 15 year window, approachable sooner. Both scored Falstaff 91.
Why is the 2018 vintage more approachable than the 2017?
Irregular 2018 growing conditions across the Veneto produced grapes with lower anthocyanin and tannin than either neighboring year, giving lighter structure and more pronounced natural acidity. The 2018 opens without extended decanting, pairs easily at the table, and suits guests who find classic Amarone overwhelming.
How is the Paolo Cottini Amarone della Valpolicella made?
The grapes dry for 90 to 110 days in fruttai lofts (the appassimento process), then ferment for 35 days at 16 to 18C. The wine ages 12 months in 3,000-liter Slavonian oak, 12 months in French barriques, and 12 months in bottle before release.
What food pairs with the Paolo Cottini Amarone 2018, and how long will it age?
The higher acidity of the 2018 suits osso buco, duck breast with cherry reduction, braised lamb, risotto all'Amarone, and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano. The wine has a 10 to 15 year aging trajectory and will continue to develop through the early 2030s.
Is Paolo Cottini a woman-led estate?
Yes. The estate, Az. Agr. Paolo Cottini di Riolfi Sara, is led by Sara Riolfi in the original Valpolicella Classico zone at Castelrotto.
Where can I buy the Paolo Cottini Amarone 2018?
The Italian Connection is a dedicated US source for Paolo Cottini. Use the inquiry form on this page to ask about availability and trade pricing.
Add to Your Program
The right-now Amarone from the original Classico zone. Woman-led estate. Pair with the 2017 for a complete dual-vintage story that covers both the cellar and near-term drinking. A dedicated US source through The Italian Connection.
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