Intense ruby red in colour, with the characteristic Amarone perfumes of dried cherries, spicy and powerful which gives way to a wonderful fusion of concentrated fruit and fine, toasty oak that enhances a traditional style of wine. Allegrini’s modern approach ensures that the volatility which often characterises lesser Amarone is never found in his. Intense and powerful through to the end, with a hint of spiced, sour cherries on the finish.
2004 was characterised by low average temperatures and normal rainfall which meant ripening took longer than usual, but with careful thinning, the fruit had excellent sugar/acid/tannin balance. Vinification took place in the first two weeks of January, after the traditional 100 days drying. The grapes were de-stemmed, crushed, and fermented in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 22º- 31ºC. Maceration lasted 21 days during which time pumping over took place daily. The wine was then racked into 100% new oak barriques (225 litres) in March, where it was matured for 18 months. After blending, the wine spent 7 months in 8,700 litre oak casks, followed by 14 months in bottle before release.
The Allegrini family’s southeast facing vineyards are located in the Valpolicella Classico hills at 180-280 metres above sea level. The soils are varied, but mostly chalky, stony and well-drained. The vines are 29 years old on average, pergola trentina trained, with about 3,000 vines per hectare. The yield is 33 hl/ha. Grapes for the Amarone are hand harvested during the second half of September and are allowed to dry naturally for about 100 days at ‘Terre di Fumane’, a state of the art drying centre where both temperature and humidity are controlled. By drying the grapes under these conditions, the development of botrytis is avoided, and the integrity of the fruit is preserved. During the drying period the grapes lose 45% of their original weight.
Ripe and raisiny on the nose, with floral and mineral notes. Full-bodied, with thick, raisiny fruit, fine fruit-coated tannins and a long mineral finish. Best after 2007. 12,000 cases made. – JC Wine Spectator 90 Points
This is a highly intense and thickly extracted wine from one of the area’s most storied producers that boast blockbuster notes of black cherry, chewy fruit comfiture, milk chocolate and vanilla-oak. At the back are interesting bacon highlights. — M.L. Wine Enthusiast 91 Points