Corvina Blend

From a magnum.  A blend of Corvinone (40%), Corvina Grossa (25%) and Rondinella (20%).  Opened and allowed to breathe for about one and a half hours before pouring.  Bussola is in my mind, a close third on the hierarchy of Amarone producers (following Quintarelli and Dal Forno).  His wines are pricey but doable.  This is his base bottling.  Purple in color with some ruby.

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

This is a very nice Amarone in just the right place right now.  Probably at or close to peak but no real hurry here.  Deep ruby in color with very slight browning at the rim.  The nose is very nice with cherries, slight raisins and other dried fruits, a bit of spice and just a hint of roasted herbs.  A voluptuous texture.  Slightly sweet/ripe but just perceptible.  Layers of complexity. Good acidity that works better with food.  Nice finish.  Is this a blockbuster?  No, but it is an outstanding wine that is around $30 for current vintages.  

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.  

50% Corvina / 20% Rondinella, 25% Molinara / 5% indigenous varietals.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is nice with cherries and baking spice.  On the palate, this has deep cherry fruit.  Good acidity.  Slight tannins.  This wine is correct and everything expected for a nice Valpolicella including the price - $18.  Will work with medium and heartier foods and if needed, on its own too.  

Purple in color.  The nose is dusty with black cherries.  On the palate, this has nice black cherries.  Tight and firm tannins.  Not a lot of depth but drinking nicely.  Give it air or cellar time.  Nice acidity.  Works better with food.  Needs five years and should be good for at least ten after that.  

Purple in color, slightly flat.  The nose has black cherries, cinnamon, and spice.  On the palate, sweet black cherries and sweet black raspberries.  Tasty but slightly jammy.  Some depth.  Not a lot of acidity.  Drinking quite well.  When the vintage was revealed, it made sense that it was the hot 2003 vintage.  No hurry on this though.  

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.  

A great value in Amarone.  It actually tastes like an Amarone for $26.  Deep ruby/purple in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries and slight dried leaves.  On the palate, a nice combination of sweet black cherries and sour cherries.  Also some underlying crushed leaves.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  This might not make old bones, but for this price, it would be fun to lay a bottle down and try.  In any event, this should be good for 5 to 7 more years.  

Ruby in color.  At first there seemed to be some TCA on the nose, but that blew off after about an hour.  TCA, however, does not blow off, it gets worse, that must have just been some bottle stink of some kind.  Eventually, it showed nice cherries with some nutmeg.  On the palate, this has plums and slightly sour cherries.  It is a bit candied as well.  Clean after about an hour.  Good acidity.  Not sure if this was a proper bottle but it was nice.  Retails for around $50.