2012 Amarone della Valpolicella il Borge dei Ciliegi Estate

Sometimes, a wine bottle label goes too subtle. Here’s a sturdy bottle with a dark, non-descript label…. Sorry, but I had a heck of a time reading that I wanted it… a Valpolicella blend. The winemaker on this estate took 80% Corvina Veronese, 10% Corvinone, and10 % Rondinella wines to make this il Borgo. The label needed to advertise how these grapes were put on straw mats for months to dry. From these “raisins”, great, fun wine is made. Instead, I needed my flashlight & magnifying glass. But the search paid off in a very good wine. This blend produced good everything. The nose is beery, first taste is black raspberry. Of course, drinking more found dark chocolate, a little lime and pepper. Its finish was a smooth tea tannin. It had good legs and dark red color. What was not to like? Chew on this Valpolicella; keep it for years in your wine cellar. The blend allows to pair with light or dark meats. Comfortably take a bottle to your office party or as a house gift.