Wine Type: Veneto

Rosso ‘Ca del Merlo’

Guiseppe Quintarelli 1997

Essentially this is a Valpolicella, Ca del Merlo being a single vineyard designation. Quintarelli is regarded as the best of the Veneto, his Valpolicellas rivaling the quality of many Amarones from other producers. 1997 is lauded as the classic vintage of the past two decades - you do the math.

  • Price (bottle) ~ $150

Amarone ‘Vaio Amaron’

Serego Alighieri 1999

  • Price (bottle) ~ $110

Valpolicella Guiseppe Quintarelli

Classico Superiore 1998

The venerable Guiseppe Quintarelli makes the best wines the Veneto has to offer. His Amarones are sublime, though somewhat price-restrictive for us common folk. This is an excellent second choice at a much more acceptable price, though once you've experienced it you'll think you got a deal.

  • Price (bottle) ~ $100

Amarone Tommasi

Tommasi 2001

  • Price (bottle) ~ $85

Valpolicella Serego Alighieri

‘dell’ Anniversario 650 Anni’ 2000

  • Price (bottle) ~ $50

Amarone della Valpolicella ‘I Castei’

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ‘I Castei

  • Price (bottle) ~ $80

‘Palazzo della Torre’

Allegrini, IGT Veronese 2003

a blend of Corvina/Rondinella/Sangiovese, kind of a twist on the Amarone blend from a producer who knows Amarone. The well-rounded palate shows lots of meaty texture with complex flavors ranging from creosote to black licorice to grilled red plums. A story unfolding on your palate, worth a few minutes in the decanter to open it up a bit.

  • Price (bottle) ~ $48

Rosso del Veronese Ripasso

‘Santo Stefano de La Cane’ Boscaini 1998

Ripasso denotes that the wine has been aged on the lees of the previous vintage. it is also a term used exclusively for Valpolicella, of which this is certainly one.

  • Price (bottle) ~ $39

Raboso di Piave

Moletto 2001

  • Price (bottle) ~ $39