Brigaldara Amarone della Valpolicella 2001:
This is a fairly straightforward Amarone. Notes of cardamon and black cherry on the nose, as well some chocolate-wrapped raisins. Mostly dark fruits- blueberries and blackberries- all dried and very high-toned but somewhat clumsy at the moment, but IMO, this is just not the right time to play around with this wine. I imagine with some time this wine will offer some further pleasure and greater clarity. Right now it is a bit of a jumble . . . and somewhat of a headache to mess with. 86 points
John, get yourself a bottle or two of the 04 Musella Riserva. It’s a $32 Amarone that drinks just great right now. I’ve gone through 4/6 and I’m going back for more.
The 2 or 3 aged bottles of this that I have had were pretty good. Don’t know more recent vintages just aren’t as good, or if your bottle just needs some age, or if I overrated those wines because of the environment (Venice).
The basic Brigaldara Valpolicella is usually a pretty good wine for pizza or pasta with red sauce. Haven’t tried the last couple of vintages, though.
I’ve tried the '04 and I thought it was good.