You think we don’t hear those constant “WE NEED MORE AMARONE DEALS” messages?

We do, loud and clear! Problem is, the stuff is rare, and the prices often soar well above $100.

So how does $34 sound? With 95 points? Pretty, pretty good! This is the one you’ve been waiting for!

Amarone, as the fans will recall, is a powerfully hedonistic rarity from the Veneto region in Northern Italy. It’s made with air-dried grapes, which basically wither down to raisins prior to fermentation. This process concentrates extract inside berries, bringing out all kinds of fascinating phenolics and aromatics.

The result? Terrifically rich and seemingly sweet depth and complexity, while remaining dry as can be. Since the grapes lose so much volume, you get a lot less juice in the end, with a lot more effort (here’s a cool video on the process).

For that reason, Amarone lives up to its reputation and its name, a play on the words amaro, as in bittersweet and amore, love. It routinely hits $100+ per bottle simply because it costs a fortune to make very little. We rarely see much in these parts, especially with points and reasonably priced.

So, what about THIS Wine Spies Exclusive? Sourced from the Progetti group of fine wineries, who own the historic Nino Ardevi winery in the Veneto. They make Amarone, Valpolicella, Pinot Grigio and Prosecco - all of the sought after varietals of the region.

Density and elegance, power and balance are all in play simultaneously. Contradictory as those might appear in the same wine, this pulls it off, shying away from overt ripeness and heaviness that commonly appears in Amarone. You sense that the fruit is ripe, for sure, but it does not reveal too much sweetness. In fact, the finish is quite dry and even that 15% alcohol is well managed. Aging in traditional Slovanian oak casks called botti for two years sure contributes to the irresistibly delicious personality here.

Why resist? Just about a palate is all we could get, here today, gone tomorrow.

95 Points – Luca Maroni

“Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone. Complex and intense aromas of cherries, intertwined with the freshness of undergrowth smells. Bouquet of cinnamon, cherry jam, and a palate of ripe black cherry fruit. This wine pairs lovely with game, roasted or braised red meats, and mature cheeses.”