98 points and 'Top 100 Italian Wines in 2012,' Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$450 list] The 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella is one of the most monumental young wines I have ever tasted. This is an especially silky, elegant Amarone from Dal Forno that avoids the heaviness of some previous vintages. Blackberry jam, crushed rocks, minerals, violets, new leather and bittersweet chocolate are some of the nuances that emerge over time. This is every bit as majestic as it was every time I tasted it from barrel over the last few years. The silky, exceptionally polished tannins make the 2004 approachable today, but the wine will be even better in a few years. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. (Feb 2011)"

98 points James Suckling: "This is full throttle style with loads of black chocolate and dark fruits on the nose and the palate. Minerally, gun powder undertone. It's very full and powerful with super pretty tannins and a long finish. Gorgeous wine all around. Romano is a genius. Find the wine. (4/25/11)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "Offers an amazing brilliant color of dark ruby red that's almost black. The nose shows subtle tar, black chocolate and crushed raspberry, and this is full and opulent on the palate, with fabulously polished tannins and a long, long finish. To be released and price to be determined. Drink now through 2020. (7/31/10)"

95 points Ian D'Agata (International Wine Cellar): "Good fully saturated inky-ruby. Wild, dark aromas of black fruits, roasted coffee bean, minerals and spices. Very rich, dense and creamy, but with excellent energy giving shape and grip to the intense raspberry, cocoa, ginger, underbrush, coffee and smoked meat flavors. A step up in concentration from every other Amarone of the vintage, but with no loss of clarity or precision in spite of its massive size. Finishes with big, fine tannins and superb palate-staining persistence. This huge wine will smother your taste buds in layers and layers of velvety creamy fruit. Although his wines are now cult objects among international collectors, Romano Dal Forno remains easy to talk to and willing to answer questions from wine lovers, something that cannot be said for all of the world's winemaking stars. (Mar/Apr 2012)"