Pasqua, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (Veneto, Italy) 2012

 This is an excellent, dry-style Amarone that doesn’t tasted “hot” despite the 16.5% stated alcohol that was left after most of the sugar in the air-dried grapes was fermented out, which is no small feat.  Moreover, the “Achilles heel” of overly stewed or pruny flavors was likewise avoided, resulting in a wine that is decadently ripe and powerful without being so in-your-face that — like most Port wines — you can’t drink more than a glass.  Still, be careful not to drink more than two, as this is potent stuff indeed.  A Platinum Award winner at the 2021 Critics Challenge International Wine and Spirits Competition.