The 2003 Amarone della Valpolicella Case Vecie is a massive, opulent wine loaded with super-ripe fruit. Despite the wine’s richness, this offering remains incredibly primary and fresh. The wine’s intensity trails off ever so slightly on the long finish, yet pretty suggestions of blueberry jam and grilled herbs compensate. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015. I was very impressed with the wines I tasted from Brigaldara. The Amarone is aged in cask and is made in a fairly approachable style, while the single-vineyard Amarone Case Vecie is a richer wine that also sees some French oak. Both wines are well worth seeking out. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907

Starts well, with clean aromas of prune, rich fruit tea and spices. Full-bodied, with lots of succulent fruit, well-integrated tannins and a long, spicy, fruity finish that firms up by the end. A clean, tasty Amarone. Fun, balanced and racy. Best after 2009. 1,500 cases made, 100 cases imported.??–JC??Region: Italy / Amarone della Valpolicella Select to Add

You can tell this is a blockbuster Valpolicella blend just by looking at it. Dense concentration and generous complexity set a somber mood, followed by smoked bacon, beet root, honey, maple syrup, prune and dried fig. In general this is a broad, horizontal wine (no thorny spikes here) with a silky-smooth finish.——M.L.(12/1/2007)—— 90