TN: Veneto $20 to $40

Last night my tasting group met to try some value wines from the Veneto. I really enjoyed the tasting although the crowd was mixed. There are some nice values in this range although like many areas, the prices have crept up in recent years. All wines were pop and poured and all but the dessert wine, served blind.

• 2011 Fattori Soave Classico Runcaris 89 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico

  Screw capped. This sells for $13 Ohio and is a real QPR. Light golden in color. The nose has oranges (some called it limes) with minerals. Also a slight Rosemary note. On the palate, slightly bitter with a slightly oily texture (both good). some peach notes. A nice acidity. Very nice.

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• 2009 Zenato Ripassa 90 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Ripasso della Valpolicella Superiore

  Hard to believe this now sells for over $30 Ohio. Still, it is a very nice wine. Purple in color. The nose is dusty with slight raisins. Black cherries come out with air. Nice plush texture. Plums on the palate with a bit of iodine. Nice acidity.

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• 2009 Masi Brolo di Campofiorin Oro Veronese IGT 91 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT

  I liked this much more than the group who had it last. Purple in color. The nose is dusty. With air it shows black cherries. Slightly sweet on the palate. Nice plush texture. Boysenberries. With air, tannins emerge. Strong acidity.

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• 2008 Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella 92 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella

  Purple in color. The nose has black licorice, prunes and plums. Nice plush texture. Black cherries. nice balance. very nice showing. Easily the groups WOTN with 7 out of 8 votes getting first or second place.

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• 2008 Lenotti Ripasso della Valpolicella Classico Superiore Le Crosare 91 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Ripasso della Valpolicella Classico Superiore

  Purple. Dusty with an earthiness to it. Slight cherries on the nose as well. Slick texture. Black raspberries and peppery. Somewhat Zin like but a nice wine. I liked it better than the group.

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• 2009 Secoli Amarone della Valpolicella 90 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella

  Purple in color. Dusty with black cherries on the nose. Thinner in texture. Bitter cherries on the palate (in a good way). Long finish. Fell off a bit with air.

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• 2006 Il Roverone Valpolicella Classico Superiore 87 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico Superiore

  Purple in color. This is tight or just not showing much. With air some black cherries emerge. Nice texture. Black cherries on the palate. lacking the depth and balance as most of the other wines. Still, a nice wine.

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• 2009 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT 91 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT

  Always a favorite of mine for QPR. Purple in color. The nose is very tight eventually showing some dust, dried cherries and plums. On the palate, medium bodied. Black raspberries. Slightly sweet. Nice acidity.

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• 2008 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT 88 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT

  Not as good as the 09 IMO. Purple in color. The nose is dusty with slight charcoal notes. Sweet cherries on the palate with lots of tannins. Turning a bit raisined with air, it drops off a bit.

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• 2008 Giuseppe Campagnola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 88 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  Easy to pick this as an Amarone blind. Purple in color. The nose is dusty. Also an odd aroma someone described as spaghetti and meatballs. Soft texture. Raisiny. Some black cherries. The wine is good, not great.

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• 1997 Boscaini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Ca' de Loi 90 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  This was getting old in the tooth and starting to show some port like notes, but I liked it. Lou opened this after the regular tasting was over. Purple in color. The nose is dusty, raisined, and slight oxidized. On the palate, still plenty of black cherries. A bit drying but very good. A nice treat. Drink up though.

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• 2005 Giuseppe Campagnola Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Casotto del Merlo 92 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Recioto della Valpolicella Classico

  I threw this in at the end of the night. Purple in color. The nose is cherries with some dark chocolate. Sweet, but not even close to cloying. Chocolate covered cherries. I liked this a lot. Food matches might be tough, but it worked nicely on its own.

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