458749 Thu Nov 08 17:09:05 -0800 2007 12 34 Wine 0 3108682 I have just been introduced to Amarone, and I've had several good bottles of Brunello. I know this is totally subjective but . . . what are your favorite labels for both (nothing extraordinarly hard to find, please)? Any other musings you have about either would also be interesting. I am interested in learning more (and trying) more. Thu Nov 08 17:09:05 -0800 2007 43622 JenBoes 1 3108817 JenBoes, it's a good idea to search this board before beginning a thread (just click on the link above) because your answer is often found in the many previous suggestions on the same subject. For example, in the links below there are 33 threads that discuss Amarone, and 46 threads that discuss Brunello. I've saved you the trouble this time, but next time do a search before beginning a thread. Hunker down and read what's here, then, if needed, post a new thread that asks for greater specifics or clarification on what's already been written here. Both Amarone and Brunello are remarkable wines that deserve a good deal of attention! Amarone: http://www.chow.com/search?search%5Bquery%5D=amarone&search%5Bclass_names%5D=Topic&search%5Bfrom%5D=5+year+ago&search%5Bto%5D=now&search%5Bsort_mode%5D=descending&search%5Bboardgroup_id%5D=10&search%5Bboard_id%5D=34&x=30&y=6 Brunello: http://www.chow.com/search?search%5Bquery%5D=brunello&search%5Bclass_names%5D=Topic&search%5Bfrom%5D=5+year+ago&search%5Bto%5D=now&search%5Bsort_mode%5D=descending&search%5Bboardgroup_id%5D=10&search%5Bboard_id%5D=34&x=49&y=14 Thu Nov 08 17:46:07 -0800 2007 3108682 18222 maria lorraine 2 3115191 Thanks for the advice. I don't like using the threads. If I wanted that kind of feedback, I'd just do Internet research. I like the interactive aspect of Chowhound. Sun Nov 11 13:10:35 -0800 2007 3108817 43622 JenBoes 3 3117152 http://gprime.net/flash.php/postingandyou Mon Nov 12 09:19:50 -0800 2007 3115191 10606 Joe Blowe 3 3118930 I'm confused. Isn't asking for feedback on the internet a form of internet research? And isn't pointing you to other threads on Chowhound with the information you seek a) being helpful; b) a time-saver for the umpteen people who already responded to a similar question previously? I often do NOT use the search function, as you, but then I often find the exact info I wanted by doing so -- after being pointed that way by someone . . . . After all, how many times do you want to type out "Kendall Jackson," or "Villa Banfi"? That said . . . Masi. Mon Nov 12 17:02:21 -0800 2007 3115191 28122 zin1953 3 3119028 Granted, searching will be helpful, but by no means is it mandatory. Nor should you be corrected for not doing so by another user. Etiquette per Chowhound: "Please do search through previous discussion to catch the previous tips on a given topic, but it's always okay to start new discussions about previously-covered topics. New posters may have fresh tips to offer, and restaurants may have recently closed or declined. By constantly revisiting topics, we keep our info fresh. Avid regulars may find repetition tedious, but the food scene's dynamic, and we aim to track it in real time! Mon Nov 12 17:30:44 -0800 2007 3115191 74451 vinosnob 4 3119112 And here’s the paragraph just before that one: IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR CHOW TIPS, FIRST TAKE A LOOK THROUGH OUR REGIONAL MESSAGE BOARDS. You'll find tens of thousands of useful postings, including literally HUNDREDS OF REPLIES TO OFT-REPEATED QUESTIONS such as "Where are the best ribs in the South?", "Where can I eat near Lincoln Center?"...and the ever-popular matter of Brunch. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/367605 Mon Nov 12 17:59:18 -0800 2007 3119028 96640 justalittlemoreplease 1 3109044 About halfway down the page in the link below is a blog dated May 20, 2006 by Elisabeth Schriber from the K&L Wines archives, which gives tasting notes and her rating for about 77 of the 2001 Brunellos. I had a lot of fun with this list when I took it to Montalcino, Italy to search for the best QPR purchases I could find. I’ve had other Brunellos since that aren’t on the list that I really like, but her ratings seem pretty good. I have to say that some of those that got lower ratings are tasty now and getting better. It’s a little different take than Gambero Rosso and often much different than the popular American ratings. You may find it interesting. http://blog.klwines.com/2006/05/ Thu Nov 08 19:26:00 -0800 2007 3108682 14128 BN1 1 3109838 Amarone: The best: Dal Forno Quintarelli Both are astronomically expensive expensive but in off-years Quintarelli declassifies its Amarone and calls it a 'Rosso del Bepi' -- in those years it is just rediculously expensive. The other best: Begali (single vineyard, I forget the name) Tomasso Bussola TB Neither is easy to find. Both are worth the search. The Bussola TB, unlike the Begali, can actually eclipse a Dal Forno or Quintarelli in a tasting. The great wines: Zenato Allegini Bussola bg Begali Mazzi Masi Sergio Aghleri Brigaldala Brunello, I stick with the following producers. It doesn't mean I don't like lots of other producers, it just means this is whom I buy: Siro Pacenti Sassetti (Pertimali) Ciacci Piccolomini Uccelliera The Pacenti comes in around $75-$80, the others around $50-60 upon release. Fri Nov 09 07:12:27 -0800 2007 3108682 50041 whiner 2 3132861 Two favorite Amarones: 1. Fratta Pasini Amarone della Valpolicella 2003 ($54.99): very gentle and quite drinkable now but clearly worth cellaring. A beautiful, deep pomegranate, the wine was beautiful to look at and a pleasure to drink. 2. Seco-Bertani Valpolicella Valpinetone Ripasso 2004 ($15 - $20): a "baby Amarone" made from the same three grapes as "regular" Amarone, this wine is softer and lighter than the Fratta Pasini; well-balanced and a long finish. The winery has been in production since 1857 so they have clearly mastered the "Ripasso" technique of winemaking native to the Veneto. Fri Nov 16 18:49:15 -0800 2007 3109838 141726 vinoduo 1 3201193 Monte Faustino Amarone Classico for a rich full bodied classic style Amarone. Brigaldara Amarone Classico for a lighter body but, full flavored Amarone, this is easier to pair with food. Both are available in half bottles too. Wed Dec 12 08:13:43 -0800 2007 3108682 16777 sl1 1 3201511 We spent some time in Valpolicella tasting a lot of different amarones. Here are some of the ones we remember really liking (in no particular order): 1. Le Ragose 2. Morar 3. Nicolis 4. Tenuta Sant' Antonio 5. Santa Sofia M Wed Dec 12 09:30:09 -0800 2007 3108682 12824 MunkeeCIAO 1 3203116 I just returned from a week trip to Montalcino. The city is amazing, people are very friendly, and of course the food and wine was out of this world. My favorites from the trip that you can find here and for a reasonable price: Banfi 2002 Castiglion del Bosco 2001 Il Paradiso di Frassina 2001 Brunello Fuligni 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Mastrojanni 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Below are links to the full tasting report, many more articles are in the works! 1993-1999 Vintages: http://foodandwineblog.com/?p=194 2000-2002 Vintages http://foodandwineblog.com/?p=203 Wed Dec 12 16:21:10 -0800 2007 3108682 124659 sarbuze