Winemaker Notes
Allegrini’s La Poja is a single vineyard, 100% Corvina wine from a 2.65ha parcel at the top of La Grola in Sant’Ambrogio. It is Allegrini’s most prestigious cru.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
In 1979, Giovanni Allegrini planted La Grola with all Corvina under Guyot instead of the pergola training system. At the top of this stunning hill of limestone, Franco Allegrini in 1983 foresaw the potential of the 2.6ha plot, 'La Poja' to be bottled as a single vineyard. Here the Corvina 'graspo rosso' clone, richer in colour, achieved perfect ripening and concentration without the need for appassimento. Picked just 10 days later than La Grola and aged in new French oak for a minimum of 20 months, this is one of the top wines from Allegrini. Raspberry and dark cherry fruit integrate with smashed black pepper and cocoa powder in depth. Curry and clove introduce a spicy and savoury palate with dense, graceful tannins and firm yet integrated acidity. Its exotic flavours last for minutes.
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James Suckling
Beautiful transparency to this with blackberry, blueberry, violet and black-olive aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, chewy and polished with creamy texture. Lots of blue fruit at the finish. Better in 2023 and onwards.
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Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of cassis, camphor, French oak and blue flowers form the expressive nose. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the smooth, delicious palate doles out succulent Morello cherry, spiced blueberry, licorice and tobacco. It's well-balanced, with taut, refined tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2021–2031.
The chief variety in Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella of the Veneto region of Italy, Corvina contributes intense red cherry and blackberry along with a touch of tartness and tannins to the blend. It is especially well suited to the drying process required to make Amarone. Corvina is also the main grape variety in Bardolino, a light red from the southeastern side of Lake Garda, also in Veneto. Somm Secret—Because of the dark and almost black coloring of its grape berries, Corvina takes its name from the Italian word, corvo, a local, jet-black raven.
Part of the greater Veneto wine region, Verona, the city, is the capital of Italy’s wine trade, hosting the country’s most important wine fair, Vinitaly, each year.
Everyday-drinking red and white blends can also be bottled under the heading Veronese IGT or IGP if they are comprised of approved Veneto grape varieties. Typically for reds, these include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Corvina, Corvinone and Merlot among others. For whites, the approved grapes include Chardonnay, Friulano, Garganega, Pinot Bianco, Trebbiano and others. Rosato can also be labeled in this way with the same varieties approved for red blends. These wines represent an affordable introduction to the wines of the area.