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Tommaso Bussola
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Bussola Family
Bussola Family


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Bussola Information Sheet
Country of Origin: Italy
Location: Negrar
People: Tommaso Bussola, Owner & Winemaker
Supplier: http://www.rarewineco.com


Originally trained as a stone mason, Tommaso Bussola took over his uncle's Valpolicella estate - with its prized old vineyards in the heart of the Classico zone - in the mid-1980's. While vineyard work came naturally to him, he experimented relentlessly, and absorbed information and ideas from every source available. By the late nineties, his style had matured, and his wines had become world-famous for their incredible intensity of fruit.

The key is the age of the vines and the low-yielding ancient clones: Corvinone (giving the wine depth), Corvina Grossa and Rondinella. Small percentages of old vine Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dindarella and Pindara round out the cepage, along with new experiments like Teroldego. Tommaso produces two levels of wine; 'TB' are his finest, made from ruthless selection from his best sites, and 'Classico' rate near the summit of the Valpolicella pyramid. All of the production comes from estate fruit.

"Actually, all of Bussola's 2004 Amarones are striking, but the Vigneto Alto left me almost speechless: Bussola's 2004 Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Vigneto Alto TB is a stunning wine of profound dimensions. It reveals surreal detail in its well-delineated ripe dark fruit, licorice, smoke and tar. Though medium in body, this Amarone possesses awesome balance and polish. I found it awfully hard to put my glass down. It is extremely rare to encounter an Amarone that balances depth with clarity to this degree of profoundness. Needless to say, this wine is not to be missed. The Vigneto Alto spent 30 months in 500 liter French oak barrels, 100% new. It is one of the most breathtaking Amarones I have ever tasted." -Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

From Gambero Rosso 2012
“The Bussola family’s winery was one of the first to eschew entry-level products in the early 1990s, as international interest in the red wines of Valpolicella suddenly boomed. Over 20 years have passed since then but time has done nothing to diminish the passion of Tommaso and his wife Daniela for their work. What has changed, however, is the winery, which has been extended and now has facilities for long aging, The extended vineyard holding with plots at higher elevations, and the increasing contribution of sons Paolo and Giuseppe, who are bringing new energy and stimulus for growth.”
Items
Tommaso Bussola 2005 Amarone Classico 'TB Vigneto Alto' Net Price Reviews —
Tommaso Bussola 2006 Amarone Classico 'TB Vigneto Alto' Net Price Reviews —
Tommaso Bussola 2007 Amarone Classico (yellow sun) Net Price — — New!
Tommaso Bussola 2006 Amarone Classico TB (black label) Net Price Reviews —
Tommaso Bussola 2009 'Ca' del Laito,' Valpolicella Ripasso Net Price — —
Tommaso Bussola 2007 Valpolicella Classico Superiore TB (Red Label) Net Price — —
Tommaso Bussola 2006 Valpolicella TB (Red Label) Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
Tommaso Bussola 2005 Amarone Classico 'TB Vigneto Alto'
Rating: 94

This syrupy-smooth red is laced with Chartreuse-like herbal and spice notes, accenting the kirsch, soft raisin and dark chocolate flavors. Finely textured, with deft tannins and a long finish echoing the Chartreuse flavor range. Drink now through 2025. 500 cases made

- The Wine Spectator (8/31/2011)

Tommaso Bussola 2005 Amarone Classico 'TB Vigneto Alto'
Rating: 95

The 2005 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico TB Vigneto Alto shows off striking depth and clarity in its chiseled, beautifully articulated fruit. Fresh, floral notes are woven throughout, adding further dimensions of complexity and vibrancy. Tar, smoke and licorice linger on the finish. Though not a towering Vigneto Alto, the 2005 is an excellent choice for drinking while some of the more important vintages age in the cellar. There isn't as much difference between the Vigneto Alto and the TB in this vintage as is typically the case. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020. Tommaso Bussola remains a benchmark producer of fine Amarone and Recioto. His wines are remarkable for their textural richness, polish and overall class. The Amarone Vigneto Alto in particular is one of Italy's reference-point wines

- The Wine Advocate (2/28/2011)

Tommaso Bussola 2006 Amarone Classico 'TB Vigneto Alto'
Rating: 94

Rich and spicy with ripe, polished tannins framing chocolate-covered cherry, kirsch and sweet smoke flavors that show deeper notes of creamy espresso, ground spice, roast almond and molasses. This vibrant, harmonious wine is woven like fine silk. Drink now through 2027.

- The Wine Spectator (8/31/2012)

Tommaso Bussola 2006 Amarone Classico 'TB Vigneto Alto'
Rating: 95

Deep ruby. Opulent, sexy aromas off red cherry syrup, strawberry jelly, marzipan, cardamom and cinnamon. Dense, sweet and seamless, offering a lovely multilayered mouthful of red fruits, jam and spices. Finishes extremely long, with powerful grip and building tannins that stay silky-smooth. This clocks in at 47.8 g/l total dry extract, 11.1 g/l residual sugar and 6.45 g/l total acidity. Unlike the TB Amarone, this is noticeably sweet-not quite like a recioto, but it's not a dry red wine either.

- International Wine Cellar (4/1/2012)

Tommaso Bussola 2006 Amarone Classico 'TB Vigneto Alto'
Rating: 89

A touch of pungent apple skin, orange zest and white licorice open the bouquet and need a few minutes to blow off before this wine can really strut its stuff. The mouth is where this Amarone performs best thanks to dark, rich intensity and a long, powerful finish

- The Wine Enthusiast (12/1/2011)

Tommaso Bussola 2006 Amarone Classico TB (black label)
Rating: 93

Ripe and velvety, with a rich undercurrent of creamy chocolate, joined by flavors of fresh and dried black cherry, date, fig paste, coffee liqueur, sweet smoke and ground spices. Round and harmonious, this shows fine integration to the panoply of flavors, supple tannins and juicy acidity. Drink now through 2022.

- The Wine Spectator (8/31/2012)

Tommaso Bussola 2006 Amarone Classico TB (black label)
Rating: 96

Inky-ruby. Very pure, captivating aromas of red cherry, raspberry jam, spicecake and cocoa. Suave, dense and extremely long, this utterly compelling wine displays concentrated yet lively flavors of red fruits and spices and a seamless quality. It's amazing just how concentrated this is, but it tastes neither heavy nor too sweet. Get a load of these numbers: 45.2 g/l dry extract, 9.5 g/l residual sugar and 6.3 g/l total acidity. One of the best young Amarones I have tasted in quite some time.

- International Wine Cellar (4/1/2012)

Tommaso Bussola 2006 Valpolicella TB (Red Label)
Rating: 91

Smoky and aromatic, with creamy layers of prune, sun-dried cherry, balsamico, dried mint and dark chocolate shavings. Rich and balanced, with a moderate finish. Drink now through 2017.

- The Wine Spectator (7/31/2012)

Tommaso Bussola 2006 Valpolicella TB (Red Label)
Rating: 92

Deep red with a pale rim. Superripe nose unleashes a wave of red cherry and dark plum macerated in alcohol, with complicating notes of cinnamon, vanilla, roasted herbs and ketchup. Very rich yet refined on the palate, with superripe, highly concentrated red fruit flavors that avoid overripeness. This huge (38.7 g/l dry extract!) and very long wine remains just this side of over the top, somehow managing to retain an element of refinement.

- International Wine Cellar (4/1/2012)