(23) CIB Amarone della Valpollicella 2011

Amarone, for short, is a dry red wine with a mixture of Corvina and Rondinella grapes. That much Italian on a bottle must be good, right?

"Amarone" translates directly to "the great bitter," so you know what you're getting yourself into here. Little acidity and more tannins are a given.

I learned later this was at Trader Joe's(lol) for under $10, when it's usually priced in the $20s. Definitely a good steal.

Smell: burnt wood, with a bit of raspberry in there. Thick body, thanks to the tannins.

Taste: bitter, as advertised. Like well-preserved berries, with a dark, liqueur-like sweetness. Even a bit of leather in there too, of all things. Made me feel like a badass.

Verdict: 4/5