Wines of FreshDirect:
An Amarone For A Special Occasion

Posted by Eric Hazard | No Comments

Amarone is always a special bottle to open and this one was no exception. As the FreshDirect write-up says, “Amarone holds a special place in the hearts (and mouths) of BIG red wine lovers.” Well that fits me, and this wine was an incredible experience. Even though some readers may shy away from the price, I highly recommend purchasing a bottle as a once-a-month drinker, or to celebrate a special occasion (perhaps Valentine’s Day).

Winery: Trabucchi
Grape: Amarone blend (Corvina, Rondinella, Croatina & Oseleta)
Region: Veneto, Italy
Year: 2002

Source: FreshDirect.com
Price: $39

Color: Ruby red into garnet

Nose: A well blended bouquet of cherry, leather, smoke, earth and raspberry notes at first. As the wine unwound from the bottle, I smelled scents of toast, with asparagus, bell pepper and oak. Mrs. Wines of FreshDirect likened the entire bouquet to tomato soup, pointing to sweet vegetable notes and a certain saltiness.

Taste: FreshDirect says it’s “Like drinking a glass of liquid ruby red velvet.” I’ll say. Upfront, the wine presented sweet spices, cedar and mint, joined by acidity and some minerality. Before long, the wine presents a smoky, sweet leather, tobacco and dark chocolates, which compliments the overarching berry flavors. Like the nose, the full bodied wine is well structured and well balanced, which Mrs. Wines of FreshDirect noted as “a strong feel of the wine in your mouth.” At the end, it slides down your throat on a velvety red carpet of plum and raspberry.

What I like: A well made, well balanced wine such as this one is a treat. As I said in the introduction, this is just the kind of bottle you should consider keeping around as a once-a-month drinker. Also, if you were looking for a special treat for someone that likes red wine, I would recommend this bottle.

What I don’t like: This was the best wine I have tasted since we began publicly reviewing the wines of FreshDirect. There was nothing I didn’t enjoy about this bottle. I offer only one word of caution to the overeager; let this one breathe for 10 minutes before pouring.

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