Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella - 2016

Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella 2016 is a full-bodied, appassimento-dried red wine from Valpolicella Classico at 17% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. Averaging 90 points from critics, this vintage places Bussola among the most respected names in the appellation — frequently cited alongside Giuseppe Quintarelli and Dal Forno Romano as a benchmark Amarone producer.

Quick Facts: ABV: 17%  |  Origin: Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy  |  Vintage: 2016  |  Winery: Tommaso Bussola

Production & Heritage

Tommaso Bussola farms vineyards in the heart of Valpolicella Classico, working with a blend of 65% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, and 5% other indigenous varieties. Grapes are hand-selected in mid-September and dried naturally on plastic plateaux for approximately four months — a commitment to extended appassimento that concentrates sugars, acids, and phenolic complexity before pressing. Fermentation proceeds over roughly 15 days with selected yeasts, and the resulting wine is aged in predominantly French oak barrels (90%) sourced from the forests of Tronçais, Allier, and Jupille, each dried a minimum of three years and toasted to a medium level. This meticulous barrel program — heavier on French oak than many Valpolicella estates — imparts structural refinement without masking the dried-fruit intensity at the wine's core.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dense garnet in the glass, the nose opens with spice-driven notes of black pepper and cinnamon, moving into herbaceous layers of sage, wormwood, and fresh mint. Deeper investigation reveals coffee, toasted coconut, and cherries preserved in alcohol.

Taste: The entry is rich and fleshy, coating the palate with concentrated dark cherry and vanilla-apple sweetness balanced by a surprising thread of freshness. Mid-palate, the wine shows genuine harmony between its warmth and its acidity, supported by dense, silky tannins that give the structure real dimension. Almond blossom and white cherry emerge as the wine opens, lending a vertical, direct quality.

Finish: Long and persistent, with fruity, fleshy persistence and a satisfying bitter edge that is classic Amarone. Lingering echoes of roasted coffee and warm spice remain well after the last sip.

How to Drink Bussola Amarone 2016

Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F) and decant for at least an hour to allow the concentrated aromatics to fully unfold. This is a wine built for contemplative sipping neat, though its 17% ABV and bold structure also make it a powerful partner at the table. A Negroni Sbagliato variation using a splash of this Amarone in place of sparkling wine adds dried-fruit depth. A fortified-style Mulled Wine benefits from the wine's natural spice profile. And a red-wine Sangria anchored by this bottling delivers a richer, more complex result than lighter reds.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Italian-wine collector on a milestone occasion
• Anchoring a multi-course winter dinner with braised meats and aged cheeses
• Cellaring for future drinking — the structure and acidity support continued development
• Pairing side-by-side with other top-tier Amarone producers for a tasting flight

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bussola Amarone 2016 taste like? It delivers concentrated dark cherry, vanilla, and almond blossom on a frame of dense, silky tannins, finishing with a long, bittersweet persistence and warm spice.

How does Bussola Amarone compare to Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone? Both are considered benchmark Valpolicella Classico estates, but Bussola's 90% French oak program and extended four-month appassimento tend to produce a more polished, spice-accented style, while Quintarelli is often associated with a more oxidative, traditional character from extended Slavonian oak aging.

Is Bussola Amarone 2016 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its harmonious balance of richness, freshness, and silky tannins makes it ideal for slow, contemplative sipping, especially after an hour of decanting.

Where is Bussola Amarone made? Tommaso Bussola produces this wine in the Valpolicella Classico zone within the Veneto region of northeastern Italy, the historic heart of Amarone production.

What foods pair well with Bussola Amarone 2016? Osso buco benefits from the wine's richness and spice; aged Parmigiano-Reggiano mirrors its savory depth; venison stew matches its robust structure; dark chocolate torte complements the coffee and bitter cherry notes; and risotto all'Amarone creates a natural regional pairing.

What sizes does Bussola Amarone come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; availability of other formats may vary by vintage and market.

Is Bussola Amarone 2016 worth the price? It positions as a premium Amarone from an estate ranked among the top three in Valpolicella Classico, averaging 90 points from critics — strong value relative to peers like Quintarelli and Dal Forno Romano, which often command significantly higher prices.

Why Bussola Amarone 2016?

Tommaso Bussola's four-month appassimento commitment exceeds what many producers attempt, building a concentration of flavor that carries through from aroma to finish. The 90% French oak barrel regimen — sourced specifically from Tronçais, Allier, and Jupille forests with a minimum three-year drying period — is unusually precise for the region and gives the wine a structural polish that sets it apart. Averaging 90 points from critics, this 2016 vintage captures a strong year in Valpolicella with the kind of balance between power and freshness that rewards both immediate drinking and patient cellaring. For anyone seeking Amarone with genuine pedigree, this bottling represents a serious statement from one of the appellation's most respected estates.