MARONE. The Wine: Tasting Notes: Serving / Pairing Suggestions: Technical Information: The Vineyard/Terroir: Accolades: AAFEX / NEX Shelf Label

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1 The Vineyard/Terroir: Tommasi selects the best clusters of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara grapes solely by hand and exclusively from hillside vineyards in the family s choicest plots in the Sant Ambrogio and San Pietro in Cariano areas of Valpolicella. The vines are trained using the Guyot training method and are planted in high-density. The soil of the Valpolicella area is primarily calcareous, with large limestone and marl stones. MARONE This unique wine, made from carefully dried grapes, is the most concentrated red wine in the world. Truly a bottle for special occasions. Tommasi is a standard bearer of the Amarone appellation, and one of the most important quality producers in the Veneto. The family-run estate was founded in 1902 by Giacomo Tommasi in the village of Pedemonte, which lies in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico region. Tommasi is the single largest land owner in the area; the family works only with grapes they grow, an important quality decision and reflection of their deep connection to the Valpolicella soil. A deep ruby-red, it is warm, ripe on the nose, and both intense and refined. Complex, smooth and full-bodied, the fruit profile features notes of cherry and plum. Excellent with grilled and roasted pork, beef, lamb, or wild game served with mushrooms, gravies, or reduction sauces. Also pairs superbly with mature cheeses such as gorgonzola, Roquefort, and other blues. An excellent after-dinner wine substitute for port. After harvest, the grapes are placed on small racks in a large grape-drying room known as a fruttaio, where they are dried by cool autumn and winter breezes until the following February. Over these months the grapes lose half of their weight, concentrating the level of natural sugar. After fermentation, the wine is aged for three years in large (35 hectoliter) Slavonian oak casks, and one year in bottle. JamesSuckling.Com 92 Pts 09; 92 Pts 08 Wine Spectator 91 Pts 08; 92 Pts 07 Wine Enthusiast 92 Pts 08; 92 Pts 07 Wine Name: Amarone Classico CRC / AAFES Stock #: / UPC:

2 Conca d Oro (or the Golden Shell) is a cru near Sant Ambrogio della Valpolicella; it is one of the most prestigious wine areas in the Valpolicella Classico zone. The vines were planted between 1997 and 2001, at altitudes between 290 and 330 meters, with a south-southeast exposure. After meticulous soil analysis, Tommasi planted clones of the traditional Corvina Veronese, Oseleta (a restored native vine) and the modern Cabernet Franc. Yield is limited 70 quintals of grape/hectare and 65 hl of wine/ 100 Kg of grapes. C R E A R O The name Crearo comes from crea, the Italian word for a clayrich, loam soil of volcanic origin. Tommasi s Crearo is a product of the legendary Conca d Oro the Golden Shell a prestigious hilly vineyard within the historic Valpolicella Classica zone. The color is an intense, deep ruby-red. The aroma is very fruity and rich, with spicy notes of black pepper to accentuate the fruit. The mouthfeel is smooth and full. The taste is bold, with very intense dark fruits and spice. This is a very elegant wine. Perfect with both white and red meats, game, fresh and aged cheeses. Best served at F. Crearo is a blend of 50 % Corvina Veronese, 15% Oseleta, and 35% Cabernet Franc. With loving vinification of these select grapes, Tommasi created a Super-Venetian wine that epitomizes the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation. The Corvina and Oseleta are dried for days prior to pressing. After fermentation, the wine is matured for 6 months in French oak barrels and then another 12 months maturation in Slavonian oak barrels of 35hl. Wine Enthusiast - 90 Pts 10; 90 Pts 07 Wine Name: Crearo CRC / AAFES Stock #: / UPC:

3 Grown on the largest single vineyard in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico. Le Prunée is a dry and stony plot on the plain at the base of the region s rocky hills. The nontraditional grapes were densely planted to force the vines to dig deeply into the calcareous soil. Extreme green-pruning and severe canopy management further concentrate the plants energy and essence into the limited yield. The result is super high-quality fruit that produces an intense and rich wine. 100% Merlot. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels of 65 hectoliters Alcohol: 12.5% vol. Merlot Merlot is not a traditional Italian variety, yet Tommasi planted a vineyard composed entirely of Merlot grapes at Le Prunée in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica region. Le Prunée s vines are subjected to close planting and the severest pruning, resulting in an extremely low yield of extraordinary richness. The Le Prunée is deep ruby-red. Its nose is full of chocolate, berry, and cappuccino scents. In the mouth, it is medium-bodied, with soft tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Soft, round, dry, and elegant with tobacco, earthy, spicy plum aromas with a touch of mint and pepper. A gorgeous wine. Excellent with first courses with meat sauces, white meats, and fresh cheeses. Best served at F in a large glass. Perfect for current drinking or cellaring for several years. Wine Enthusiast 86 Pts 08; 90 Pts 07 Wine Name: Le Prunée - Merlot CRC / AAFES Stock #: / UPC:

4 The grapes originate from Le Rosse, in the heart of Valpolicella Classica. The vines have been subjected to close planting and intense pruning, resulting in an extremely low yield of extraordinary richness. A superb single-vineyard Pinot Grigio of extraordinary quality. The color of this wine is best described as moon yellow with green-straw highlights. The bouquet is clean and spicy, with the typical hints of tropical fruit. In the mouth, it displays its medium body with a clean, round and soft taste and a crisp finish. A perfect companion to light appetizers, soups, and fish. This is also a refreshing wine to serve by the glass. Serve at F. 100% Pinot Grigio. The grapes are carefully pressed and separated from the pink skins to avoid any maceration that would transfer pigment to the wine. It is fermented and then aged in stainless steel for a period of at least 4 months. Alcohol: 12.0% vol. PINOT GRIGIO Country: ITALY Region: VENETO Type: Dry White Wine Enthusiast 86 Pts 11; 86 Pts 10; 86 Pts 09 Wine Name: Le Rosse Pinot Grigio CRC / AAFES Stock #: / UPC:

5 This wine is made from Corvina Veronese (70%), Rondinella (25%), and Corvinone (5%) grapes grown in the family s Conca d Oro, La Groletta, and De Buris vineyards. Ripasso VALPOLICELLA Tommasi "Ripasso" is the unique result of refermenting Valpolicella Classico Superiore on the warm grape skins from which Amarone has been fermented and pressed. This process, used only in rare vintage years, imparts the richness of character and personality of a great wine to an already superior wine. This wine presents a deep garnet color with intense ruby red highlights. The aromas are bold: ripe cherries; rich, spicy black pepper; and hints of raisin. On the tongue, the full body of this wine cannot be mistaken. The taste is big and very intense, with sweet cherry and spice flavors. This is a well-balanced wine with a full and persistent finish. Perfect with both white or red meat, game, and either fresh and aged cheeses. Best served at F in a large bowled wineglass. This wine is made with a process known as Ripasso. Tommasi s Valpolicella Classico is refermented on the Amarone grape skins. The resulting wine is then matured for 18 months in 65 hectoliter Slavonian Oak barrels. Alcohol: 13.0% vol. JamesSuckling.Com 90 Pts 11 Decanter Commended 11 Wine Enthusiast 88 Pts 10; 89 Pts 09; 89 Pts 08 Wine Spectator 88 Pts 10; Veronelli - 88 Pts Wine Name: Ripasso Valpolicella CRC / AAFES Stock #: / UPC:

6 The Vineyard/Terroir: The grapes grow in the Classica zone, a hilly region of Valpolicella, northwest of Verona. The vineyards are planted with indigenous varietals to produce this blend of Corvina Veronese 60%, Rondinella 30%, and Pelara 10%. The name means Land of the Cherries and it is most appropriate. This wine s bright cherry notes and fresh, fruity taste make it a perennial favorite and the perfect bridge wine for those who may not generally prefer red wines. Made from a blend of traditional Valpolicella grapes, this wine has fairly intense, sweet cherry flavors. Well-balanced and full of flavors. Terra dei Ciliegi s color is bright ruby-red. It has an aroma that is very fresh and fruity, with lots of cherry notes. The taste is quite intense, with sweet cherry flavors. It is well-balanced and full. Enjoy with vegetables, pasta, pizza, white meat, and fresh cheeses. Serve at temperatures between F. This wine is ready for present enjoyment. Drink now. The wine is produced with the same primary grapes used its brother, Valpolicella: Corvina and Rondinella. Tommasi adds the native grape Pelara to the Terra dei Ciliegi to give it bolder cherry notes. The grapes are macerated for 7 days in stainless steel tanks. After the fermentation, the wine undergoes a 4 month maturation period in stainless steel tanks. Alcohol: 12% vol. Coming Soon. Wine Name: Terra dei Ciliegi CRC / AAFES Stock #: / UPC:

7 The Vineyard/Terroir: The grapes are grown in various Tommasiowned vineyards (constituting nearly 60 acres) within the Valpolicella Classica DOC zone. Grapes have been cultivated in this area for more than 2000 years and the name Valpolicella is believed to derive from Greek and Latin words for the valley of cellars. This easy-drinking and enjoyable wine is very popular, ranking just behind the nearly ubiquitous Chianti in total Italian DOC wine production. Valpolicella, the taste of Verona, is made from the same combination of grapes used to create the worldfamous Amarone. This classic wine is ruby-red. Its aroma is very fresh and fruity, with lots of cherry notes. The taste is predominantly cherryfocused, with other soft fruit flavors layered on the tongue. It is very well-balanced and juicy. Perfect with pasta, pizza, vegetables, white and red meats, and fresh cheeses. Serve at 60 to 64 F. Enjoy this fresh wine now; no additional cellar aging is needed. Corvina Veronese 60%, Rondinella 30%, and Molinara 10%. The juice is fermented for 7 days fermentation in stainless steel tanks, followed by 4 months maturation in stainless steel tanks and an additional 2 months aging in 65 hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels. Alcohol: 12% vol. Coming Soon. Wine Name: Valpolicella Classico CRC / AAFES Stock #: / UPC:

8 The 163 acre Poggio al Tufo estate, owned by Tommasi since 1997, is located at Pitigliano, in the heart of the Maremma Toscana zone of southwestern Tuscany. This high-value real estate produces phenomenal fruit and wines of great quality. The Rompicolo vineyard has an exceptional southern exposure, rich volcanic soil, and densely planted Cabernet vines. Vine density is more than 3,000 per acre.) Tommasi s Cabernet is extraordinary. This is a wine that was designed for the modern wine lover. This is rich and chewy with just the right amount of blackberry and oak. The Poggio al Tufo Cabernet has an intense ruby-red color. Its bouquet is full of dark fruit, spices, and licorice. In the mouth, it is well-balanced with good structure, nice length, and fruity flavors. This is excellent with Italian pasta with red meat sauces, white meats, and fresh cheeses. Best served between 60 and 65 F in large Bordeaux-style glasses that focus the aromas to the nose. Enjoy this wine now or cellar for 5-8 years. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 10 days (all of which includes skin contact). The wine then ages for 12 months in 65 hectoliter Slavonian oak casks. Country: ITALY Region: TUSCANY Type: Dry Red Wine Spectator 87 Pts 10; 91 Pts 08 Wine Enthusiast 87 Pts 10; 88 Pts 09 Veronelli 89 Pts / Poggio al Tufo Wine Name: Cabernet Sauvignon CRC / AAFES Stock #: / UPC:

9 Bottle Shot The Vineyard/Terroir: Within the Maremma coastal area of Tuscany, in a zone with southern exposure, the Poggio al Tufo estate was planted in in 1997 using the modern Guyot style with a very high density of 6,500 plants/hectare. The varieties cultivated are the Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. The ground is calcareous and well-drained yet rich tuff (or tufo), a type of rock consisting of consolidated volcanic ash. Poggio al Tufo is Tommasi s newest project in Maremma, and their 2005 Rompicollo was the first wine produced from the vineyard of the same name. This opulent red is packed with coffee, black cherry, plum, and sweet spice flavors. Though well-structured, this remains vibrant and full of sweet fruit on the finish, with a very long aftertaste. Italian pasta with red meat sauce, white meats, fresh cheeses. Serve at 66⁰ F. Best from 2013 through This wine is made from Sangiovese 60% and Cabernet Sauvignon 40% grapes which are fermented in temperaturecontrolled stainless steel tanks for 10 days. The wine is later matured for 12 months in 65 hectoliter Slavonian oaks casks. Alcohol: 13% vol. Country: ITALY Region: TUSCANY Type: Dry Red Wine Spectator 87 Pts 10; 88 Pts 08 Wine Enthusiast 87 Pts 10; 87 Pts Pts 08 Veronelli - 89 Pts / Poggio al Tufo Wine Name: Rompicollo CRC / AAFES Stock #: / UPC: Case Size: 6 Bottles (750 ml)