Amarone is one of my favorite wines, having sampled my first tastes at Ombra down in the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. Over years, it has gone by different names, only being known as Amarone in the 18th Century. Truly, it is a combination of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, but it deserves to be known simply as Amarone. It also was considered the wine of kings. Though it's technically a dry red wine, it ranges from medium to full bodied, and has a rich and very elegant depth, somewhat akin to a deep velvet.

Now, while I am used to a Tommasi or Masi Amarone, and they normally start around $50, I chose to try this inexpensive release to see if it was really up to snuff.

I originally opened it on an annual trip and shared it with a sommelier from Chi-town who liked it as well. While this is not as rich as a more expensive Amarone, it does hold it's on for the price, and would easily allow the average person to procure a bottle and enjoy this type of wine with no major financial discomfort. It is both smooth, and has a deep silkyness that will entice and tickle, caress and fondle. I consider this a good buy, but from what I hear, it might be all sold out [from the producer] for this vintage. That said, if you can't find this, look for what else they have.