Cesari Amarone 2004

Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2004

Veneto region, Italy; 14% alc by vol; opened December 31, 2009

Cellared for approximately one year and decanted two hours before serving at room temperature.

Served with: homemade pizza (whole wheat crust, tomato/basil/garlic sauce, prosciutto, dried fig, arugula, feta cheese, cremini mushrooms, green pepper, sundried tomato).

Colour/visuals: Warm, deeply opaque red with a hint of brick and plenty fine legs continuously run down the glass.

Nose: The leather is immediately noticed and followed by cigar box, a characteristic raisin, and a hint of pleasing moss.

Taste: Great mid palate sensation, dry, full bodied in weight.  The leather continues along with black cherry.

Finish: Lasts for one minute and longer. Firm acidity is in balance with the alcohol and it never felt ‘hot’.  The black cherry and the earth notes linger through.

This wonderfully complex wine was a joy to drink.  It will clearly improve into 2012.  Importantly, it is fully capable of pairing and complementing the variety of ingredients served.