This is a wine with great purity, grace and elegance (not usually associated with Amarone and with none of the dried, raisined characters). With a silky, velvety texture, flavours of luscious bitter cherry, dried orange peel, and ripe red fruit balanced by a complex and long finish, with lingering notes of chocolate ganache. This 20 hectare estate in the commune of Monteforte D'Alpone in the very heart of the Soave Classico district is run by Graziano Pra. Universally regarded as one of a handful of world-class producers in Soave who have revitalised the region, Pra produce 5 wines based on Garganega, covering a wide spectrum of styles and flavours. The most celebrated is the opulent Monte Grande, awarded 'Tre Bicchieri' 5 years in a row. Arguably the intense, incisive, unoaked 'Staforte' takes the range to new heights but for us the most impressive achievement is the delicious 'basic' Soave Classico, described in the 2007 Gambero Rosso guide as 'an absolutely magnificent wine of which every wine enthusiast should have a few bottles tucked away'. In 2006 Graziano produced his first red wine from the Morandina vineyard in eastern Valpolicella, in the foothills of Monte Lessini. The Valpolicella was soon followed by an Amarone. The vineyard, 450 m above seal level, had never previously been cultivated - and is not treated with any chemicals.