Campi Rudi Appassimento Puglia 2018

“My mother always used to say, “The older you get, the better you get. Unless you’re a banana.” –Betty White

Gettin’ off to a late start here (thx Remy Massin Brut Tradition and all 47 bottles we went through!!) but HAPPY New Year y’all!! Amarone!!! That’s not really Amarone. Sort of! It’s complicated, but here’s the headline: 95 POINTS, wildly rich, sexy, and mouth-wateringly delicious, straight-up, no arguments!!

**pours leftover champagne**

Late last week we got a fresh-landed container of uber-goodies from Italy, and AMARONE PEOPLE, gather round!! We all FLIPPED, looked at each other like “WHOA dude” and then arm-wrestled for who was taking it home for the holiday. SO good!! This wine is an Amarone look-a-like, because, like the Amarone, it is made according to the "Appassimento" method, also called the "passito" method in other Italian regions. Part of the harvest is kept aside and dried until they are almost raisins. These are added after the fermentation of the wine for a second fermentation. This provides an extra boost of ripe red fruit, rich fig marmalade, and zinfandel-like touch of jamminess. Crazy delicious, and crazy well-priced!!

It’s utterly mouth-coating, with dark ripe cherries, sweet currants, fresh herbs and vanilla beans, and even some cardamom chai-like spices. Full, rich, and complex with lots of fruit and one of those finishes that go on forever, just the way we like it. $15!!! Madness! Love it! Did we mention 95 POINTS???!!