Allegrini Amarone 2019

The 2019 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is youthfully understated, requiring coaxing to reveal its depths of dried black cherries, mocha and cloves, all lifted by a hint of fresh mint. This impresses with its blend of sweet spices, opulent ripe wild berry fruits and silken textures, all balanced by brisk acidity and a pleasantly bitter tinge of dark chocolate toward the close. This finishes classically dry with dramatic length and potency, leaving a coating of fine-grained tannins that saturates, promising many years of positive evolution. Allegrini knocked this one out of the park. Wow.

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, and 100,000 bottles were released.

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.