2006 Cesari, Il Bosco, Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOC, Veneto, Italy.
Cesari’s Il Bosco has become a go to Amarone, it is rich, lush and lavish as one would expect of fine modern Amarone, but it still feels dry, vibrant and is not heavy or ponderous in anyway, this is classy and balanced wine that deserves attention. I was thrilled to find the 2006 drinking as great as it is, since the hype machine overlooked this vintage and focused more on the 2007, but if you are looking for a suburb Amarone you should check out the Cesari Il Bosco 2006, it has everything you could want. The 2006 starts with heady black cherries, plum pudding, fig, clove and a dusting of coco powder with dried roses, cigar spice and golden raisins. As the wine gathers itself and opens it reveals a fine tannin structure, a bit of juicy acidity and a wonderfully smooth texture where you find a raspberry and sweet herb streak and the lengthy finish which echos with chocolate covered raisins and candied cherries. This would be an awesome wine with lamb, cheese plate and or prime rib, and again this wine feels plenty dry and balanced not porgy or overtly cloying, a masterful display in affordable and pure Amarone, drink now through 2022.
($65-72 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
avail at www.sfwtc.com