TN: 1988 Tommasi Amarone

Ciao,

  1. 1988 Tommasi, Amarone Classico.

Was at a friend’s for dinner and since he is an Amarone monster of my own creation, and he was celebrating some good fortune, I decided to crack this one, my last '88. Don’t remember where I got it or for how much, but was probably in MD and around $20-25. Dinner was scallops, so we had this for dessert, with his parents, and some chocolate cake.

Still a pretty dark blood red color, with some hints of oranging at the rim, healthy color, mature, but proclaiming there is no rush to drink it. This was confirmed upon drinking. A small deposit of sediment was removed in decanting, about an hour before dinner. A gorgeous nose of Veneto spice, amarena cherries, fig, earth, black cherry, very complex, very warm and inviting, typical of what I think of as old school Amarone, and old Tommasi. The palate confirms the complexity, dried fruits like cherry and black raspberry, lots of that unique Veneto spice, excellent acidity, minimal tannin, well balanced, and absolutely delicious. Everyone was well pleased with it and the decanter got drained quite quickly. Grade: A.

  1. 2008 Cielo Amarone, “Cent’anni”. About $40 or so retail.

My friend is ITB and sells the Cielo line, a negociant type house that sells vino from many areas of Italy. I don’t know who makes this Amarone for them. A very young Amarone but made in a style to enjoy now rather than waiting 24 years or so like with the Tommasi. :~)

A vigorous scarlet red color. A big nose of violets, spicy cherries and a hint of almond. Lots of fresh, pure fruit on the palate, blackberry and black cherry, some Veneto spiciness, no tannin, medium acidity, long finish. It’s big and brash and young but fun to drink now. Who knows what a few years in the cellar will do for it? Grade: solid B.

  1. 1998 Zenato Amarone Classico.

I was at bistro99 in Fishtown a month ago for “cassoulet night” and my homeslice Ed Becker broke this bad boy out for the crowd. Even after the 96 F. Rinaldi Barolo Cannubi and the 96 Vietti Barolo Brunate this wine managed to shine brightly. Big and intense nose of herbs, amarena cherry, Veneto spice, bitter chocolate, penetrating, unique, making it’s presence known even among the other dessert wines including a '89 Vouvray from Prince Poniatowski and a Maury. On the palate a lovely flavor of dried fruits like fig, cherry, plum, large but well balanced, excellent acids, no appreciable tannins, long slightly bitter almond finish. With a selection of dessert cheeses. No rush to drink this, many good years ahead. Grade: A- now, with potential for more.