1988 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
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Tasting notes
The 1988 Amarone (3-liter) is another glorious wine. While the 1988 doesn't have the depth or richness of the 1990, it conquers the palate with layers of subtly perfumed fruit, elegant, fine tannins, exceptional length and a classy personality. The color remains intact and translucent, showing no signs whatsoever of fading. I imagine the 1988 might have been even more pleasurable when there was more fatness to the fruit, but it is still superb and totally delicious today. No doubt the 3-liter format has helped preserve a measure of freshness, but this is still an impressive showing.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The saturated ruby/purple-colored 1988 Amarone Classico offers peppery, asphalt, and truffle aromas, and thickly-textured, powerful flavors that are just beginning to achieve harmony between the acidity, tannin, alcohol, and fruit. This is a big, dense, savory Amarone to drink over the next 15-20 years. This heavyweight wine is an essentially dry, gutsy red with plenty of character, but it must be matched with rich cheeses or grilled foods. A Leonardo Locasio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620