Concentration, plush, texture.
Tommasi is a family wine producer that specializes in wines of the Veneto, which is where they were established in 1902. But they also make wine in Lombardy, Tuscany, Basilicata and Puglia.
This Arele is from partially (parziale) dried Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, Oseleta and Merlot grapes. These grapes have been set out on traditional wooden trays to dry, thereby increasing intensity and resulting in additional weight and concentration.
The aromas here are plush; cherries and star anise, warm chocolate and tealeaf, wet cedar and hints of balsamic. It's fleshy but has some angularity this vintage; red cherry, tealeaf, wood spice and hint of espresso line the palate. The entryis smooth but grows more textural mid-palate across finish. It has a pleasing classic bitterness on the finish making it a good pairing with aged Italian cheeses, game or pastas with hearty ragus.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Olive Oil & Cracked Pepper
 
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 2nd, 2020