Hints of sandalwood, tea leaf and spice box lace tangy notes of dried strawberry and crushed cherry fruit in this modest version. Grippy tannins show on the floral finish. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 800 cases made, 650 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Select to Add

The 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico shows noble lines with measured tones of dried fruit and raisin. The winemaking is very traditional (botte grande is used for aging instead of smaller oak vessels) and the blend is 75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 5% Croatina. Endnotes of smoke and leather add a savory touch and there’s a bright spot of sour cherry or dried apricot as well. Drink 2014-2020. With seven hectares of vineyard, Giuseppe Lonardi is a small, dynamic winery run by the Lonardi family. They also founded the L’Antica Osteria da Bepi, a colorful neighborhood eatery with country cooking. Importer: Small Vineyards Llc a division of August Wine, www.augustwinegroup.com

There’s a touch of pungent apple skin at first, but the bouquet opens up over time with pretty floral tones and shadings of forest fruit and dried raspberry. For an Amarone, this wine is surprisingly bright and crisp on the close. ——M.L.(12/1/2011)—— 87

There's a purity to the violet, black cherry and brambly dark berry fruit in this spiced red. This is very polished and well-integrated, with a lacy, refined texture, and it layers subtle notes of dried beef and pipe smoke through to the long finish. Drink now through 2021. 750 cases made, 600 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Select to Add

Sweet spice and brambly notes of forest floor and white mushroom open the nose of this interesting Amarone. You’ll appreciate the savory notes that set this wine apart from many of the jammy, over-sweet expressions on the market today. ——M.L.(2/1/2011)—— 90