Amarone Question
 

I'm looking for some advice on Italian Amarone - Tommasi 2001 to be
precise. Any reviews or other Amarone recommendations?

"Dan Bellan" > ha scritto nel messaggio
news:7K00e.103533$gJ3.82248@clgrps13...
> I'm looking for some advice on Italian Amarone - Tommasi 2001 to be
> precise. Any reviews or other Amarone recommendations?

Although this is not a bible, the "Gambero Rosso" guide does not rate very
high the basic version. A bit better the "Ca' Florian" cru, even if at
probably at a much higher price.



Luk

On 22-Mar-2005, "Luk" > wrote:

> > I'm looking for some advice on Italian Amarone - Tommasi 2001 to be
> > precise. Any reviews or other Amarone recommendations?
>
> Although this is not a bible, the "Gambero Rosso" guide does not rate very
>
> high the basic version. A bit better the "Ca' Florian" cru, even if at
> probably at a much higher price.


I would tend to agree with Luk's comments. The basic Tomassi to me has
always been good, if not overwhelming. I would liken the basic Tomassi
Amarone to a nice Ripasso style; in other words, it's too light to be a
decent Amarone. The last time I had a Tomassi (97 vintage) I commented that
it was a bit thin, not showing the characteristic raisiny style that defines
Amarone.

For roughly $10 more (in AL anyway), the Allegrini has always been a better
choice. Not sure what the current vintage is, but I believe it's 1999.

Cheers,
Gary

On 22-Mar-2005, "Luk" > wrote:

> > I'm looking for some advice on Italian Amarone - Tommasi 2001 to be
> > precise. Any reviews or other Amarone recommendations?
>
> Although this is not a bible, the "Gambero Rosso" guide does not rate very
>
> high the basic version. A bit better the "Ca' Florian" cru, even if at
> probably at a much higher price.


I would tend to agree with Luk's comments. The basic Tomassi to me has
always been good, if not overwhelming. I would liken the basic Tomassi
Amarone to a nice Ripasso style; in other words, it's too light to be a
decent Amarone. The last time I had a Tomassi (97 vintage) I commented that
it was a bit thin, not showing the characteristic raisiny style that defines
Amarone.

For roughly $10 more (in AL anyway), the Allegrini has always been a better
choice. Not sure what the current vintage is, but I believe it's 1999.

Cheers,
Gary

> I would tend to agree with Luk's comments. The basic Tomassi to me has
> always been good, if not overwhelming. I would liken the basic Tomassi
> Amarone to a nice Ripasso style; in other words, it's too light to be a
> decent Amarone. The last time I had a Tomassi (97 vintage) I commented that
> it was a bit thin, not showing the characteristic raisiny style that defines
> Amarone.

How weird... '97 was an excellent vintage for Amarone wines and usually
much thicker than the surrounding years. Haven't had a '97 Tomassi though.

>
> For roughly $10 more (in AL anyway), the Allegrini has always been a better
> choice. Not sure what the current vintage is, but I believe it's 1999.

I agree. Allegrini is my favorite producer in the Valpolicella area. But
if Allegrini is too expensive I can recommend the Zenato Amarone.


Bas van Beek

> I would tend to agree with Luk's comments. The basic Tomassi to me has
> always been good, if not overwhelming. I would liken the basic Tomassi
> Amarone to a nice Ripasso style; in other words, it's too light to be a
> decent Amarone. The last time I had a Tomassi (97 vintage) I commented that
> it was a bit thin, not showing the characteristic raisiny style that defines
> Amarone.

How weird... '97 was an excellent vintage for Amarone wines and usually
much thicker than the surrounding years. Haven't had a '97 Tomassi though.

>
> For roughly $10 more (in AL anyway), the Allegrini has always been a better
> choice. Not sure what the current vintage is, but I believe it's 1999.

I agree. Allegrini is my favorite producer in the Valpolicella area. But
if Allegrini is too expensive I can recommend the Zenato Amarone.


Bas van Beek

"Bas van Beek" > wrote in message
...
> Allegrini is my favorite producer in the Valpolicella area.

I had the 1997 Allegrinia few years ago and found it showed a bit of
bacterial "funk". An off bottle perhaps. I have another bottle I got as a
gift, so I'll find out some day.

The first Amarone I ever tasted was a Bolla - over 20 years ago. It had the
most interesting aroma, with a distinct note of shoe polish! I know that
sounds bad, but the wine was really excellent. I don't recall the vintage,
but it could have been a 1981.

I haven't seen any Amarone from Bolla lately. Do they still make it? All I
see on the shelves is their Riserva Ducale Chianti, which is usually a
decent wine but quite overpriced (~$30US) IMO.

Tom S

"Bas van Beek" > wrote in message
...
> Allegrini is my favorite producer in the Valpolicella area.

I had the 1997 Allegrinia few years ago and found it showed a bit of
bacterial "funk". An off bottle perhaps. I have another bottle I got as a
gift, so I'll find out some day.

The first Amarone I ever tasted was a Bolla - over 20 years ago. It had the
most interesting aroma, with a distinct note of shoe polish! I know that
sounds bad, but the wine was really excellent. I don't recall the vintage,
but it could have been a 1981.

I haven't seen any Amarone from Bolla lately. Do they still make it? All I
see on the shelves is their Riserva Ducale Chianti, which is usually a
decent wine but quite overpriced (~$30US) IMO.

Tom S

Tom,
Bolla Riserva Ducale? You sure you don't mean Ruffino?

I'm no Amarone expert, but I was pretty unimpressed with my one taste
of Tomassini.

Tom,
Bolla Riserva Ducale? You sure you don't mean Ruffino?

I'm no Amarone expert, but I was pretty unimpressed with my one taste
of Tomassini.

Tom S wrote:

[cut]

> I haven't seen any Amarone from Bolla lately. Do they still make it?


Hi Tom,


yes, they make it:
"classico" version: http://snipurl.com/dluy
another version: http://snipurl.com/dluz


Ciao!


--
Giorgio68

Tom S wrote:

[cut]

> I haven't seen any Amarone from Bolla lately. Do they still make it?


Hi Tom,


yes, they make it:
"classico" version: http://snipurl.com/dluy
another version: http://snipurl.com/dluz


Ciao!


--
Giorgio68

See how complicated a simple question can become.
"Dan Bellan" > wrote in message
news:7K00e.103533$gJ3.82248@clgrps13...
> I'm looking for some advice on Italian Amarone - Tommasi 2001 to be
> precise. Any reviews or other Amarone recommendations?
>
>

Dan Bellan wrote:

> I'm looking for some advice on Italian Amarone - Tommasi 2001 to be
> precise. Any reviews or other Amarone recommendations?


Hi Dan,

*IMHO* probably the best Amarone nowadays are made from:

a - Quintarelli
b - Masi
c - Viviani
d - Romano Dal Forno
e - Tenuta Sant'Antonio


"a,b,c" are in the Classical area
"d,e" are in the "spread" area

"a" and "d" are very, very expensive wine.

I prefer "e" Amarone :), good wine, reasonable price (around 40 euro, at
producer's point of sale).

There are a lot of winemaker in Valpolicella and Valpantena making good
Amarone, as not famous as the 5 above (e.g. Speri - Sant'Urbano 25 euro)


Just my 2 cent worth

--
Giorgio68

First of all, Bolla does indeed make an Amarone. the 1999 retails for $45 in
Maryland. So expect to pay $100 in a restaurant. When at VinItaly in 1985,
I went into this joint across from our hotel for a slice and there was a 71
Bolla on their wine rack. Despite the room temperature storage it was
pretty good. Bolla actually made a ripasso back then called Jago which they
didn't export because it sounded to much like Yago Sangria.

IMHO best Amarones are Quintarelli, Dal Forno, Allegrini cru's. Masi cru's,
La Ragose, Ca Del Monte(my former client).Bertani, Mazzi, Tedeschi.

Tommasi especially the older bottlings are a notch below these but was ahead
of the industrial strength Speri, Lamberti and Zenato

--
Joseph B. Rosenberg
"Giorgio68" > wrote in message
...
> Dan Bellan wrote:
>
> > I'm looking for some advice on Italian Amarone - Tommasi 2001 to be
> > precise. Any reviews or other Amarone recommendations?
>
>
> Hi Dan,
>
> *IMHO* probably the best Amarone nowadays are made from:
>
> a - Quintarelli
> b - Masi
> c - Viviani
> d - Romano Dal Forno
> e - Tenuta Sant'Antonio
>
>
> "a,b,c" are in the Classical area
> "d,e" are in the "spread" area
>
> "a" and "d" are very, very expensive wine.
>
> I prefer "e" Amarone :), good wine, reasonable price (around 40 euro, at
> producer's point of sale).
>
> There are a lot of winemaker in Valpolicella and Valpantena making good
> Amarone, as not famous as the 5 above (e.g. Speri - Sant'Urbano 25 euro)
>
>
> Just my 2 cent worth
>
> --
> Giorgio68

"joseph b. rosenberg" > ha scritto nel messaggio
...
>
> Tommasi especially the older bottlings are a notch below these but was
> ahead
> of the industrial strength Speri, Lamberti and Zenato

I disagree a bit on this last. Presently Zenato is producing some great
bottles.

Luk

On 23-Mar-2005, "Luk" > wrote:

> >
> > Tommasi especially the older bottlings are a notch below these but was
> > ahead
> > of the industrial strength Speri, Lamberti and Zenato
>
> I disagree a bit on this last. Presently Zenato is producing some great
> bottles.
>
> Luk

I've never been much of a fan of Zenato, though they make decent wines
(which is probably why I'm not a huge fan---- they don't stand out) but
Speri, IMHO, makes a pretty decent Amarone, though not on the scale of
Allegrini.

Cheers,
gary

On 23-Mar-2005, Bas van Beek > wrote:

> > I would tend to agree with Luk's comments. The basic Tomassi to me has
> > always been good, if not overwhelming. I would liken the basic Tomassi
> > Amarone to a nice Ripasso style; in other words, it's too light to be a
> > decent Amarone. The last time I had a Tomassi (97 vintage) I commented
> > that
> > it was a bit thin, not showing the characteristic raisiny style that
> > defines
> > Amarone.
>
> How weird... '97 was an excellent vintage for Amarone wines and usually
> much thicker than the surrounding years. Haven't had a '97 Tomassi though.

I agree that 97 was an outstanding vintage overall. I've had other 97's and
most of them were very good to excellent. In reviewing my (admittedly
sparse) tasting notes, the Tomassi is the only one that I found to be so
medicore.

Cheers,
Gary

"DaleW" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Tom,
> Bolla Riserva Ducale? You sure you don't mean Ruffino?

Yes, of course you're absolutely right Dale. I meant Ruffino. :^/

Tom S

"DaleW" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Tom,
> Bolla Riserva Ducale? You sure you don't mean Ruffino?

Yes, of course you're absolutely right Dale. I meant Ruffino. :^/

Tom S