2003 Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Mazzano ($103 Ontario - Dec 06 ’08 Vintages release)
Opaque. Porty color. Pretty dark as far as Amarone goes.
Nose of alcohol soaked Thomspon raisins, blackberry sauce. All fruit.
Palate of black currant jam, anise; excessively raisined and almost pruney. Moves to maple and burnt sugar, mildly oxidative, also giving black currant reduction and a hint of smoke (yes, smoke). Long finish of dark cocoa (rather pleasant) and soaked raisins (not so pleasant). Seems over the top.
Based upon recent experience (with early 90s Masi Amarone), I’d suggest drinking this within the next decade. I doubt pushing it any longer will reap rewards. 89-90 points.
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