Brigaldara, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG (Veneto, Italy) 2016

 Despite an extra year of bottle age, Brigaldara’s 2016 Amarone “Case Vecie” is far more youthful than any of their 2017s, showing a more tannic structure.  Layers of dark dried and fresh fruit notes along with haunting minerality and their hallmark elegance are all still apparent.  As with their other wines, a subtle bitterness in the finish distinguishes them from many other Amarone wines that finish sweet.  This one needs time in the cellar — a decade or so — but its balance suggests a great future.