2016 Zenato Ripassa, Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Wine Review

This was really nice and as it was less money than their Amarone, a good value. Purple in color, garnet towards the rim, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, slight leather and an herbal note. full bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, black raspberry fruit with some black cherries with spice and slight forest floor. Nice finish. This is very tasty on its own and will work well with a lot of foods. Classsic choice is pizza. Drink over the next eight to ten years.

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Score:

Vintage:

2016

Current Price:

$30.00USD

2016 Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$55.00USD

Very impressive showing. This is a blend of 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella and 10% Oseleta and Croatina. Garnet in color, clear and bright. The nose has cherries, red currants, roasted herbs, dust and slight bitters note. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, Cherries, plums, red currants with some spice. Long finish. This is deep and complex. Drinking well now, it should continue to so do for twelve to fifteen years. Very nice on its own, but even better with food. It went great with a pasta fagioli.

2005 Romano Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2005

Score:

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Current Price:

$122.00USD

Dal Forno makes some of the best Amarone. Unfortunately, the price is prohibitive. That said, his Valpolicella's are better than most Amarone and while expensive, they can be worth doing. This one certainly was. So much better than a bottle tasted five years ago that was tight, oaked and unforgiving. This bottle has really started to show a glimpse of its best. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, slight vanilla, cloves and leather. Full bodied. On the palate, this has up front black cherry fruit with underlying spice and dried

2015 Famiglia Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

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Current Price:

$40.00USD

This is a very nice Amarone that is not crazy expensive if one shops around. It is a step up from their "Pasqua" bottling. This is a blend of 65% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 5% Corvinone, and 5% Negrara. It has a true Amarone quality about it. Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has cherries, spice, slight dark chocolate and a hint of vanilla. Full bodied. This wine is dry but with a mouthfeel that is slightly viscous and seems like it would be sweet. Very interesting. on the palate, cherries with underlying earthiness and slight tobacco notes. A nice backbone of ac

2014 Tommaso Bussola Valpolicella Classico Superiore Tb, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$37.00USD

Another "lesser" wine from Bussola. And yes, while his Amarone's are amazing, they are also pricey. This Valpolicella is much more affordable and even in a poor vintage like 2014, he made great wine. This is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara and other grapes. Fifty percent of the grapes for this wine are harvested in September and are dried for 3 months.

2016 Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$37.00USD

Always a nice value in Amarone although the price has crept up. Garnet in color, clear and bright. This is a blend of 75% Corvina Veronese, 20% Rondinella and 5% Rossignola and Negrara. The nose has cherries, dried cherries, dust, chocolate and herbal bitters. Ful bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, this has cherries, black cherries and char. Nice finish. Drinking great now and should drink well for ten to fifteen more. Wonderful on its own, this will work great with hearty food such as Lamb Stew.

2016 Zenato Ripassa, Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Wine Review

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