1967 Bolla Amarone Cantina del Nonno (“Grandfather’s Cellar”)

A fun bottle to try, a true piece of wine history given that Bolla was one of the first producers to market Amarone to the mass public. Cantina del Nonno was their top cuvee of the time. This bottle came out of a well-respected collector’s cellar in Italy.

Deep opaque garnet with some bricking, heavy legs on the glass. This was leaking from a tiny hole in the cork so wasn’t sure if it would be oxidized. The nose is captivating and hedonistic, port-like with dried figs and prunes, sweet molasses, cloves and star anise, black licorice. The palate is actually a bit thinner than the sweet, stewed fruit nose lets on. Still, feels like a big wine, with core red and black fruit layered with stewed fruit and leather on the mid palate and a sweet spice finish. The thin palate is a bit of let down, but still super interesting given the tremendous nose. A treat to try at 58 years old. 92