Amaro Noveis (1970s) - 21%
From T Edward Wines: Made in Ghemme, Piedmont since the early 1960s, this bitter liqueur is made from an infusion of over a dozen botanicals including gentian root, wormwood, yarrow, nutmeg, anise, cinchona, rhubarb and more.
The Francoli family have been distilling since 1875 when Louis William Francoli first fired up a rudimentary still in his home in Valtellina. His descendants went on to establish their distillery in Ghemme in 1951. Distillerie Francoli remains to this day a family-owned-and-operated business.
Notes: Earthy, medicinal and resinous on the nose. Fernet-light with mentholated and wood notes - faint windex. The palate is dry with medicinal notes (aloe ferox?), thin cola, and orange peel. Finish is soft and long with lighter medicinal notes and not as bitter as I expected.
Score: 6 (Solid Above Average) Everything here is lighter than expected - intensity of flavor and aroma, structure, body. There's not enough to call that restraint nuance, but everything is enjoyable (even the faint windex-y note). It's more pleasant to sip and easier to cocktail with than most fernet. Still, it lacks the depth of other vintage Alpine expressions that I've tried.
Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Anything Else To Drink?
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour