1999 Bussola Valpolicella Classico Superiore

With its bouquet of dark, sweet cherries, this glorious Valpolicella Classico from producer Tommaso Bussola seems more like a baby Amarone than a typical Valpolicella. Amazingly intense and luscious, it shows surprising finesse from this humble appellation. An incredibly delicious bottle that’s ripe for drinking. Now.

--S. Irene Virbila

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Quick swirl

Region: Veneto, Italy

Price: About $24

Style: Lush and velvety

Food it goes with: Pasta such as pappardelle with Bolognese sauce or a game ragu. Cheese, especially an aged pecorino or other sheep’s milk cheese or else a Gorgonzola or other blue.

Where you find it: John and Pete’s Fine Wines and Spirits in West Hollywood, (310) 657-3080; Topline Wine & Spirits in Glendale, (818) 500-9670; and Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454.