I first got hooked ~five years ago. Trader Joe's (in NoVa) carried one by Fabiano, and it was just wonderful. Given its relatively low price (IIRC, ~$25 pre-tax), I expected decent but not great. But to my surprise, not only did it pair well with osso buco, it was also quite good even per se. I think what I really liked about it was the plum/raisin aspect of it, and that it didn't contain much tannin.

Since then, I've found Amarone from the same produce only once, and it seems that if I want anything half-decent, I better be willing to fork out $50. There was this one I bought from a Costco's; also in the $25-$30 range, and it shared attributes similar to the one from Fabiano. I haven't seen the second Amarone at any other Costco's though.

Does anyone here know of something in the $35-$45 range that might fit the bill?

ETA. I have since bought other Amarones carried by Trader Joe's, and they were pretty subpar. Really astringent stuff, and not much better than a good ripasso.