Rubinelli Vajol, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

When Italians use the term vino da meditazione (“meditation wine”), it usually refers to a sweet wine of some sort—something to be sipped slowly and contemplatively. But that description could apply to any wine, really, provided the depth and complexity is there—and today’s Amarone della Valpolicella from Rubinelli Vajol more than qualifies.In terms of how it is produced, it shares kindred qualities with certain late-harvest (or otherwise concentrated) nectars, but Amarone is, famously, a dry red. If you are a fan of the richly layered, supercharged “cult” reds of the modern era, this one is right up your alley, although it will take you down a different, somewhat quirkier path. From a technical standpoint, today’s wine has no more alcohol or extract than a high-end Napa Cabernet or Australian Shiraz, but it presents a little differently. Amarone fans recognize it instantly—an extra layer of glycerol creating nearly unparalleled viscosity and the richly concentrated fruit layered with