August 27, 2021 - Funky aftertaste upon opening, but evolved nicely after a one hour decant. Complex but balanced. Drinking well.
November 28, 2020 - Fruit bomb with fire high alcohol feel it on the finish. Lots of intense cherry with a touch of cola raisin and slight licorice drinking well now
January 5, 2018 - Decidedly port-like - 17% alcohol for starters. Inky black. Intense nose of bark, plums and cola. Dense, thick palate with flavors reflecting the nose. Not for the faint of heart...
April 22, 2017 - Really rich. Lots of fruit. This 2009 bottle is very Drinkable but probably better in 2018. Reminds me of when I was in Valpolicella. Some of these Italian reds can really give Napa a run for the money. Wish I had more.
January 13, 2017 - Wow..... truly a classic Amarone. Bitter.... but in a good sense (think Mellancamp's "Hurt So Good"). Dark bitter cherries.... raisins.... bittersweet chocolate. I have had Amarone with more depth and complexity - but never at this price point ($50). Poured through a bubble aerator. While that helped, patience would be better. Five more years in the cellar might give move this wine from 91 points to 93+.
January 7, 2017 - A burning fruit bomb. I should have heeded notes and continued to age.
November 12, 2016 - I'm glad that I've become a spirit drinker over the past few years; I can withstand this 17% alcohol. It comes across more like a 15% however, which is great.
There is an obvious raisined dark fruit with good tannins. Cassis, blackberries, peppered beef jerky, and licorice notes are released with a full blast of power. Overall balance is fine with good amount of acidity against the sweetness.
Without enough experience with Amarone, I'm thinking somewhere around 90 points.
September 16, 2016 - Vodka and sunshine raisins. Please don't do it. Don't agree with the other reviews.
May 25, 2016 - Amarone and a couple others (University Circle): Great showing for this bottle. I always feel that Bussola is just behind Quintarelli or Dal Forno in Amarone but affordable. This is Bussola's base Amarone and runs for around $50. The bottle was opened at 10:00 and slow-oxed all day until consumed at 8:00. The run away WOTN with 3 first and 2 seconds out of 7. Purple in color with some ruby. The nose has black cherries, slight milk chocolate covered raisins. Great texture. 17% Alcohol ( :-0 ) On the palate, this is deep and complex. Still quite young but starting to open up into layers. The milk chocolate covered raisins and dark cherry note flow thru. Nice acidity. Continued to improve all night.
February 29, 2016 - Just smelling this wine is a treat unto itself. Coffee & chocolate & dried corvina grapes. High alcohol — 17% — but it's masked by a well-blended sweetness. A wine that has many years ahead of it. Phenomenal.