Winemaker Notes
Intense ruby red tending to garnet, it reveals an extraordinary complexity on the nose, with notes of cherries in spirits and blackberry jam, followed by hints of dried violets, dark chocolate, coffee and tobacco. It takes the palate by surprise with its balance, freshness and softness, enhanced by silky-smooth tannins.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A modern interpretation of Amarone on one hand, yet dense, fresh and altitudinal of feel, brimming with the marrow of alpine herb and spruce sap, on the other. Bitter cocoa, espresso grind and the usual swathe of pithy, dried grape skin tannins, menthol and black licorice strap. Immense, powerful and fresh. I suppose that one can ask just how much of this can be drunk. On the other hand, a glass is impressive in the right moment. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Allegrini 2019 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico reverts to a classic profile for air-dried fruit made with appassimento. There are distant whiffs of candied cherry that give more lift and intensity to the bouquet that is otherwise characterized by heavier tones of black fruit, candied cherry, red licorice and sweet earth or potting soil. It finishes with a well-balanced full-bodied style (and a noticeable 16% alcohol content). The traditional blend is 45% Corvina Veronese, 45% Corvinone, 5% Rondinella and 5% Oseleta.
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Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of plum and black cherry that give way to notes of black tea, violet and savory spices. The palate is well-balanced, highlighting both the fruit and non-fruit flavors equally. Black and red berries share the stage with notes of espresso, anise, dried leaf and limestone. Fine tannins and meaningful acidity make this wine a standout.
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Wine Spectator
Elegant and balanced, medium-bodied and harmonious, this Amarone offers ripe black and red cherry fruit and a subtle minerally underpinning of smoke and loamy earth. Reveals hints of fig cake, ground anise and dried thyme, which add complexity and linger on the refined finish. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta. Drink now through 2034. 12,083 cases made, 4,117 cases imported.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Producing every style of wine and with great success, the Veneto is one of the most multi-faceted wine regions of Italy.
Veneto's appellation called Valpolicella (meaning “valley of cellars” in Italian) is a series of north to south valleys and is the source of the region’s best red wine with the same name. Valpolicella—the wine—is juicy, spicy, tart and packed full of red cherry flavors. Corvina makes up the backbone of the blend with Rondinella, Molinara, Croatina and others playing supporting roles. Amarone, a dry red, and Recioto, a sweet wine, follow the same blending patterns but are made from grapes left to dry for a few months before pressing. The drying process results in intense, full-bodied, heady and often, quite cerebral wines.
Soave, based on the indigenous Garganega grape, is the famous white here—made ultra popular in the 1970s at a time when quantity was more important than quality. Today one can find great values on whites from Soave, making it a perfect choice as an everyday sipper! But the more recent local, increased focus on low yields and high quality winemaking in the original Soave zone, now called Soave Classico, gives the real gems of the area. A fine Soave Classico will exhibit a round palate full of flavors such as ripe pear, yellow peach, melon or orange zest and have smoky and floral aromas and a sapid, fresh, mineral-driven finish.
Much of Italy’s Pinot grigio hails from the Veneto, where the crisp and refreshing style is easy to maintain; the ultra-popular sparkling wine, Prosecco, comes from here as well.