Thanks to 20 months of barrique aging, the 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Famiglia Pasqua exhibits a more lasting personality both in terms of intensity and persistency. A good value choice for those who like the bold taste of Amarone but don-t want to break the bank, this well-crafted expression doles out bold tones of black fruit and spice. Of the wines presented in this tasting, the Famiglia Pasqua shows the best qualities for cellar aging. Its fruit, structure and acidity all seem worthy to carry it forward. Drink 2014-2022. Pasqua is a household name in Italy and I am always surprised by how little attention it gets in the United States. Thanks to a massive effort to reach foreign markets, this is changing fast. Pasqua-s exports have grown to 80% of production, covering 59 countries with the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia taking the lion-s share. The company philosophy is a sound one: Although the wines are not earthshattering, they do represent an honest value. The Pasqua family owns two brands - the eponymous Pasqua and Cecilia Beretta that you will also find in this report. Importer: Pasqua USA, www.pasqua.it