WTN: 1995 Speri Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico; DOC; alc. 14.5%; Neil Empson, Importer.
I opened a bottle of this on Saturday to sip while cooking for about 125 people at the Northwoods Starfest (an astronomy event) in northern Wisconsin. Though the circumstances did not permit time for properly "contemplating" this wine, it nonetheless made a very good showing amongst our small group of hack cooks!
Upon opening, the bouquet revealed a bit of meat and a slight hint of fruit. While initially the flavors were quite reticent, tasting it over the course of a couple of hours revealed a beautiful balance of dried fruit and characteristic bitterness. There was no hint of oxidation. Ample acid and tannins contributed to a great structure and mouthfeel. If you have this, you needn't be in a hurry to drink it, though I'm not sure if it would improve with more cellar time.
Dave Mo