2011 Bussola Amarone Classico Riserva TB
2011 Bussola Amarone Classico Riserva TB The 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva TB takes its time opening up in the glass, emerging with rich black cherries offset by sour citrus. Over time, its fruit evolves more toward tart raspberry with holiday spices, brown sugar and incense. The textures are like weighty crushed velvet, slowly draped across the palate, leaving ripe black fruits and notes of chocolate, with sweet violet pastille and hints of roasted almond that last well into the finish. Round tannins linger but don’t get in the way of this deeply seductive and perfectly balanced expression. A few years of cellaring should unveil further aromatic depths that will heighten the experience, yet this is already pure pleasure in a glass.
Tommaso Bussola
The story of the Tommaso Bussola winery began when Tommaso started working at the small estate of his uncle, Giuseppe Bussola. In the early years Tommaso followed in the footsteps of his uncle, making traditional wines in the classic style in Italy – which came to be labelled “BG” the initials of his uncle Giuseppe Bussola. His first vinification was in 1983 and in each successive vintage he sought to constantly improve the quality of the wine.
Ten years later, in 1993, in order to keep upping their qualitative game, they completed the construction of their new wine cellar, where stylistically, you can see many throwbacks to Tommaso’s previous career as a stonemason. Along with the new cellar came the introduction of some new barriques which would be used for the new top crus of the new line of TB wines and the single vineyard Vigneto Alto. Soon after, in 1995, Tommaso’s wife, Daniela joined in the adventure, focusing on the office and export markets. Years later in 2006, Tommaso’s son, Paolo, started working full time at the winery and soon began to take over the work in the cellar and become the winemaker as well as also following the work in the vineyard. Tommaso’s younger son, Giuseppe, followed suit in 2008 though Giuseppe works alongside his mother Daniela following the commercial side of the business and exports. Tommaso helps with everything but at this point, his primary focus is on the vineyards.