This wine has taken a beautiful turn, but sadly only 17 bottles still exist back at the winery. The 1996 Amarone della Valpolicella Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta exhibits beautiful linearity and freshness that is almost unreal to behold considering the massive texture and weight of the fruit flavors on hand. The fruit is still plump and vibrant, and the 17.5% alcoholic content is magically downplayed. To be honest, in a blind tasting I might guess this wine is five to ten years younger than it really is. That freshness, both in terms of fruit and mouthfeel, is really quite extraordinary. This wine is going nowhere fast, but in a good way, because it is pretty much ageless. Delicate notes of exotic spice and fine licorice appear as pretty accents on the close. There is no doubt: This is one of the greatest Amarone wines ever made, and it is still holding strong.