1997 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Purple in color but the sheen is flat. On the nose there is some VA here. Black cherries, some damp tea leaves, a hint of cigar box and slight funk. Old but nice. On the palate, this is much more alive. Complex and deep. Black cherries, cherries, slight prunes with slight tannins. Also some underlying decaying forest floor. Good acidity. Nice finish. Worked better with some cheeses. Probably varies from bottle to bottle but I would think this has five years easily and maybe more before slowly sliding downhill.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

1997

2013 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

A-

Purple in color with ruby swirls. The nose is dusty with black cherries and an almost liqueur quality to it. On the palate this is slightly bitter. Slightly noticeable alcohol. There is a lot of depth though tight. Medium tannins. Plenty of cherry fruit and some black cherry. This needs time but has a lot of potential. If drinking now, give it plenty of air. Good acidity and it needs some food. Some upside potential for sure.

1997 Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Tb, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

1997

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$180.00USD

Bussola is one of the top producers in Amarone and the top producer I can still afford (after Quintarelli and Dal Forno). This was an older bottle that was just singing. It had been stood up for a week and then decanted just prior to serving. It continued to open up for the next couple of hours. Really a gorgeous wine. Purple in color with ruby swirls. The nose is great. Dusty at first, that gave way to slight craisins, cherries with some underlying smoke and even a bit of dried flowers. With more air, a chocolate/caramel note comes out; almost sweet. On the palate, this is still l

2008 Igino Accordini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Le Bessole, Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella,Wine Review

Vintage:

2008

Score:

Grade:

A-

Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has cherries and spice. With air some chocolate and slight craisin notes. On the palate, this is ripe but not sweet. Cherries and slight coffee notes. Wide but not deep. It is drinking well now but will certainly go for a while longer. Seemed to be quite popular with those trying it. It will work better with food but is nice on its own too. Perhaps braised lamb?

2012 Fratelli Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Vigneto Monte Sant’Urbano, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$65.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has cherries, slight prunes, slight raisin along with some anise and roasted herbs. Full bodied. On the palate, this is ever so slightly sweet with cherries, dried cherries and slight prune. Medium tannins. Nice depth with layers of complexity. Good acidity. Long finish. Should work with medium and heavier dishes very well, probably not so much with spicy foods. Seems to be closing in on peak but should certainly have another 7 to ten years left.

1995 Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

1995

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$43.00USD

This one had gotten lost in the cellar and I wondered how it held up. Quite well I would say. Past prime, but not by that much. Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, dried flowers, spice and some char. Medium bodied. Nice balance. Good acidity. On the palate, this is certainly drinking well. Some depth. Flavors of cherries, black cherries with some char. Long finish. This is better with a touch of food, but very good. Fully mature. Drink up if you have any but based on this bottle, it should go another five to ten. This would be great w

1997 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

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