Had this at the DC Crü offline at Butterfield 9 on 4/27/04.

1998 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella

Whoa. I love this wine, my first Amarone. I think whiner said this is a Veneto region wine? That sort of blew me away as the only Vento wines I had while in Italy were some nice whites.

Anyway, aside from all of the blackberry and fig resin, I got a wonderful sense of cognac and some made on the farm walnut liquer. This wine had a brilliant airy unctiousness to it, which sounds like an oxymoron, but it fits well. Throw in what I call mushroom and a great finish and you can't miss.

Easily 92 points and possibly more. This was hand in hand my WOTN (The Dehlinger was the other). Given both some time and I'd give this the definite edge. Delicious.

Yes, tj, this wine is from Veneto. Many people try Amarone and say, "How can this wonderful wine be made from the same grapes used for that thin, watery Valpolicella that I buy from time to time?"

Well, not everyone says that, but one's a powerhouse, one's generally not. Unless you're talking about Beppe Quintarelli, Dal Forno, or some of the Ripassas out there.

Had a bottle of this two weeks ago at Renoir in Las Vegas and another bottle tonight at Vin Santo in Willow Glen.

This wine is wonderful! Big, heavy mouthfeel great to chew on. Chocolate, black truffle and bluberry fruit dominate this complex red wine. Absolutely smooth tannin and fantastic acid balance. This could very well be my wine-of-the-year!

There is no question that this is a terrific wine (well, I tried to pour some for jaimetown last week but, unfortunately, the bottle was corked) To me it is like biting into a tiny, superripe, but not overripe, chocolate covered grape.

I've never had a wine that so mimicked the experience of eating rasinettes.

a

OK, I'll let you know what I think tomorrow.

A friend of mine has six bottles of the 1997 for sale. Should I jump on them?

davidn,

I think I'm in the minority, but I actually prefer the '98 to the '97. Still, the '97 ein't a bad wine

a

Quote:

---

How much? If it's reasonable, you'll probably kick yourself down the road if you don't buy them.

---

When I buy wine the price is only a very minor consideration. 99% of the consideration is how does it taste. If it is a real 95+ point wine I'll pay anything near the going price. If it is an 85 point wine I wouldn't want it if it was free.

As it happens these Allegrini's are $57. I actually think that is a good price. But if the wine isn't all that good I don't want to buy it whether it is a bargain or not.

At that price I'd pull the trigger FWIW.

Buy it, buy it, buy it, buy it.

And buy some of the '99s while you're at it.

OK cranky. Buy the damn things and dump them later if you don't like them!

Joe,

That's the exact same thing Tricia said to me except you deleted the explitives.

Buy 'em. And I concur with WIML

a

Parker rated the 98 and 97 the same but ws liked the 97 more.
I just bought some 97s, still I am looking for some 98s

Is the 99 worth $60? Supposedly Parker just rated it 95 points.

Quote:

---

Is the 99 worth $60? Supposedly Parker just rated it 95 points.

---

Yes.

a

Actually, I've not tried it yet. But I would buy at $60. Everyone I know who has had it tells me it rocks/is as good as the '98. And, the retail price is going to be $75-$80. So, pounce on that Calvert Woodley deal (I assume that is the impetous for your post?)

a

You got it whiner. You got the email, too?

I need to go check it out.