Allegrini : Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2012

A benchmark Italian wine from a superb vintage

The Allegrini estate in Veneto is regular award winner and it was voted “wine estate of the year in 2016” by Gambero Rosso, a Italian wine journal. It is unquestionably one of the greatest names in Valpolicella and without exaggeration, in Italy. This historical family estate, still in the hands of the Allegrini family, has been cultivating vines on Valpolicella terroir since the 16th century. Today, it has 100 hectares in a “Classico” zone, a historical area of production that pledges quality.

The Allegrini estate produces numerous wines in Valpolicella, including the renowned Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, which Gambero Rosso has awarded 13 times with “three glasses”, the highest award in Italy. The 2012 vintage is among the many awarded with a high score.

Produced from the Corvina, Rondinella and Oseleta indigenous varietals, the Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2012 is a velvety wine with an imposing structure. The passerillage method (or "appassimento") is used to make the Amarone. This method consists of drying the berries on racks for several months as a way to concentrate the aromas and flavors. The Allegrini estate has perfected this technique and lets the clusters rest for 3 to 4 months during which time the total volume reduces by 40%! The wine produced here reveals an intense color with a warm aromatic profile that consists of black fruit, dried fruit and spices. It is a wine with great depth and the ability to age for a long time. This Amarone pairs beautifully with game, braised meat, and aged cheeses, as well as with the more typical spicy or sweet-and-sour dishes.