The 2000 Amarone Classico Vigneto Alto TB reveals another level of intensity altogether, with waves of dark cherries, cocoa and licorice that coat the palate with notable persistence. It offers superb length and terrific expansiveness, even if it doesn’t quite have the depth of the 2001 Amarone TB. In 2000 the fruit saw four months of drying. Fermentation lasted 55 days. A blend of 75% Corvina and Corvinone, 20% Rondinella and 5% Molinara, it spent 30 months in 12 and 25- hectoliter Slavonian and French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015. Tommaso Bussola’s wines have received a good deal of critical acclaim over the last few years, and with good reason. These are remarkable wines of the highest level. The estate produces two lines of wines. In theory the BG wines are more traditional in spirit while the TB wines are meant to be more modern. In reality the main difference comes down to vineyard selection, as the estate’s best fruit is reserved for the TB range. Importer: The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484