Wine Spectator
90 Points
Medium-bodied and chewy, this bright, savory red offers a zesty thread of ground black pepper winding through flavors of dried cherry, cured tobacco and Mandarin orange peel.
Wine Spectator
90 Points
Aromatic notes of medicinal herbs and Asian five-spice lead the way in this taut, medium-bodied red, with flavors of dried black cherry and hot stone tightly knit to light, sinewy tannins
Vinous
92 Points
The 2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Il Bugiardo displays an inviting mix of blackberries, sage, roses, chalk dust and hints of camphor. This is full-bodied with depths of silky textures and a dense core of dark fruits and minerals that are not quite ready to reveal all of their charms. The 2017 has a bit of a monolithic feel today, yet it’s also perfectly balanced, with a structure that can carry it for many years in the cellar – which would be advisable to allow it to unwind a bit.
Vinous
93 Points
The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico seduces with a sweetly spiced and extroverted display that blends medicinal black cherries, mint, lavender, sweet smoke and a dusting of cocoa powder. The textures are silky, energized by vibrant acidity, as ripe red and black fruits drench the palate, leaving notes of bitter dark chocolate, cinnamon and clove. A coating of tannin lingers, tugging at the senses with youthful poise, and hints of sour citrus and inner violet florals linger long. The 2016 is massive, structured and intense yet with tremendous balance and potential for the future...
Wine & Spirits
91 Points
This wine offers flavors of baked cherry laced with notes of vanilla and star anise. Those rich flavors are balanced by tea-like tannins and a surge of bright acidity that cleanses the finish.
Wine Enthusiast
91 Points
Appealing aromas of black skinned berries, pipe tobacco and cocoa emerge from the glass. The concentrated palate offers blackberry jam, licorice and clove alongside fine grained tannins. Drink 2022–2029.
Decanter
96 Points
It started in 1993, with 3ha of vineyards; now Buglioni has 54ha. This riserva is made only in the best vintages, with the best hand-picked grapes. aged for 30 months in tonneaux, it has tertiary notes of balsam, dry leaves, sweet tobacco and jam. Bramble fruits and summer fruit pudding surround the taste buds. Intense, elegant and poised, with great length and huge structure. Try it with bitter chocolate or enjoy it on its own.
Decanter
90 Points
A muscular, forceful style of considerable power, volume, and length; a little indigestible for now, needing more time, but magnificent all the same.
Decanter
91 Points
A sombre, brooding beast packed with dried fruits, savoury spice and a mineral stone edge balanced by a refined, elegant structure.
Wine Enthusiast
92 Points
Inviting aromas of ripe dark-skinned berry, new leather, cocoa and forest floor emerge from the glass. The concentrated palate doles out black currant jam, licorice, black pepper and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink 2019–2027.
jamessuckling.com
91 Points
Intense soy-sauce and cooked-plum nose that won’t be for everyone, but on the palate this is rich and silky. Good length. Drink now with mature hard cheeses.
jamessuckling.com
95 Points
The power but also vibrancy of the fruit on the nose is very impressive. Dark plums, incense, tar, dried meat and elderberry compote are out in full force. The soft fruit would be enough in itself, but its enveloped in meaty, chewy tannins that give this imposing structure and form. The finish is long and powerful and the hints of earth give a savory edge to this robust Amarone. Drink from 2023.
The Wine Advocate
92+ Points
The 2015 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Il Bugiardo is a very exuberant, very full and fruit-forward wine. Showing ripe, sweet and dark fruit with sweet spice at the end, this would spread holiday cheer with a pumpkin ravioli. The wine has a silky-smooth texture, with a nice entry into the mouth, all framed by soft tannins. This Valpolicella sees only a light appassimento and a partial ripasso in small barrels.
The Wine Advocate
91 Points
The 2013 vintage was good, but this was a really great year. The 2015 Valpolicella Classico Superiore L'Imperfetto is a ripe, full and generous expression with red cherry, blueberry and blackberry aromas. There is both bright fruit and dried fruit here, with fresh berries on the close. I'd serve it with a meat-and-mushroom pie. The blend is 50% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 25% Rondinella and 5% Croatina. There is also a tiny bit of fruit from a five-hectare parcel of Oseleta, all aged in 500-liter barrels.
The Wine Advocate
91 Points
The 2010 Amarene della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Teste Dure is extracted, inky and soft. The wine is showing some maturity and evolution, with licorice and tar behind primary notes of dried blackberry, plum and raisin. I would suggest a slightly reduced drinking window as a result, maybe pairing it alongside lamb with balsamic reduction. The next time this Riserva was made was 2015, and the folks at Buglioni have been experimenting with whole-cluster fermentations and amphorae aging too. So far, they are happy with the results, so we will surely see these methods used in upcoming releases.
Vinous
90 Points
Buglioni's 2011 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Il Recioto is rich with scents of bittersweet chocolate, rosemary, cloves, mocha and raspberry jam. The voluptuous, racy style is best enjoyed over the next few years.
jamessuckling.com
93 Points
This leads with an explosion of dark cherries and vanilla. Then come spices and earth. Dense and complex, but showing polish and form. Full-bodied, very structured and long on the finish. Drink from 2023.
jamessuckling.com
92 Points
Here's a very beautiful Valpolicella showing fresh lavender and violets, as well as dried herbs. Vibrant and mineral on the medium-bodied palate with citrusy undertones throughout. Drink now.
jamessuckling.com
90 Points
A nice Valpolicella Classico Superiore with a solid tannin structure and plenty of sweet red currants, the crisp acidity lifting the finish.
Wine Enthusiast
91 Points
Enticing aromas of cassis, cocoa and underbrush lead the nose. The dense palate offers blackberry jam, tobacco and licorice alongside firm, polished tannins.