Amarone
Valpolicella
Other Veneto
Amarone
88 Roberto Mazzi et Figli Punta del Villa
Good. Solid flavor. A little bit of barnyard. Tannins
still seem a little strong but there’s enough body and fruit to handle it.
Better in a few years? 1/05
(2) Still very tight and tannic.
Great but try again in 5+ 7/06
90 Roberto Mazzi et Figli Punta del Villa
Fabulous, fruity nose. It still seems very young at this point. The tannins
were noticeable, but much more mellowed after many hours of O2. The fruit was
plentiful and the finish was impressive. I believe this wine will be excellent
in a few years. I’m trying to fit the Amarone flavor to the ‘appassimento’ process by which it’s made. $38 1/99
(2) Too young. My
mistake. Try again from 2004 to 2010. $40 5/00
(3) Good. Seems like could still go another 5+ without much
trouble. $38 (worth $45) 9/05
90 Tommassi Amarone
I don’t like to use the term barnyard willy
nilly. But this wine tastes like a barnyard willy nilly
if I’ve ever tasted one. This may be good for some, while others may be put off
by the potent, distinct (perhaps bizarre) flavor. In other news, the wine does
have the requisite body and finish. It’s certainly a memorable experience,
although I would invest in other examples of Amarone. $38 1/99
90 Bertani Amarone
I got it in Italy
for only $35, and I had to drink it on the spot, so don’t freak out (about the “youth
of the beast” thing). Classic Amarone. Very rich and earthy. And guess what? It’s really not ready
and needs maybe another 10 or so. 2/01
93 Allegrini Amarone
It’s got the typical rustic nose of leather, tobacco, tar, etc. Round and
flavorful with fairly good mouthfeel, perhaps it could be a little more
harmonious. Unlike the 90 Mazzi Amarone (see above), which made you wait all night
before revealing itself, the 93 Allegrini seems almost like a dirty little—dirty
but delicious. Priced appropriately at $30. (now to 2005) 9/99
(2) HUGE. Good solid Amarone
flavor. Probably would have been best at 2010. $30 3/03
Valpolicella
88 Quintarelli
It was okay. No complexity, little body. 200 proof nose. I’m not sure what else
can be said about this wine. $18 12/96
90 Quintarelli Ca del
Merlo
Bit of chocolate on the nose. Nice, solid flavor through and
through. Not a day too old. Balance not extraordinary.
Just good. 12/04
Other Veneto
90 Quintarelli Ca del Merlo (head of the blackbird)
Good stuff. Amarone-like nose, but with the energy of cabernet (I assume it has
cabernet) forming very complex flavors, which are hard to pinpoint and changing
over time. A good body and tangy finish with a hint of bay
leaves. The tannins are appropriate. Best now - 2005.
$27 (worth $37) 10/99
(2) Tannins and acidity dominated.
The feral child from The Road Warrior. Lots of fruit. Negrar, though I don’t know what it means,
seems like an appropriate word to be written on the top of this bottle. Of
course, we had it next to a kinder, gentler Napa Cab, so maybe we should have
declared a mistrial. More tame the next day. $27 (worth $23) 12/00
00 Allegrini La Grola
Very good. Good fruit. Medium body. Worth $20 easily. 10/04
00 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre
How this can be distinguished from their other (“La Grola”)
is lost on me. It’s totally worth the $22 though. Good solid flavor. Nothing subtle or
sophisticated, but just solid ruby flavor. 6/05
Prosecco “Il” NV
Official:
If a wine has the colour of topaz, an intoxicating bouquet, a mischievous
sapidity and is already unforgettable after the first taste, one is most surely
talking about the Prosecco of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.
Ha. Piece of
crap. No, just kidding. I’m sure there’s better Prosecco. But for $10,
I’d rather just have a giant bottle of Chimay.
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