There are some styles of wine that I have found extremely difficult to get to grips with and that I genuinely very, very rarely like. Sauvignon Blanc (even from the Loire) is such; Amarone is another; Barossa Shiraz one more. Sure I have had nice examples of each of them, but the ones I dislike are in such a great majority that I don't dare use my own money on them. But I was persuaded to try an Amarone today since I like weird, freaky and natural wine and this is a producer that identifies with that religion.
Tenuta Sant' Antonio Tέlos L'Amarone 2011 - 15,5% abv; Corvina 70%, Rondinella 20%, Croatina 5%, Oseleta 5%; c.40€
It smells strongly of medicinal herbs and tomatoes/rust/bell pepper; plenty of dried fruit; very dark fruit tones. Rich, concentrated, nicely tannic, slight sweetness (12 g/l rs) and amazingly perfectly integrated alcohol which I never would have believed from 15,5%. Well balanced for such a big wine. You can't tell this is "natural" wine - it most certainly is not in the freaky end of the "natural" spectrum. It just seems like a typical Amarone except that it is far more drinkable than almost any other I have had.
So did this convert me into Amarones? Nope. But it does seem like a very well made wine and though still far from styles I genuinely love, even I found this perfectly drinkable and interesting enough to post a note here.
