Allegrini, `Fieramonte` Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva $
Vintage: 2013
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | AL213G13 | 1 x 75 | Natural Cork | Out of Scope |
Producer
The Allegrini family estate comprises 120 hectares of vineyard in the heart of Valpolicella Classico. Although the family has grown grapes here for several centuries, Giovanni Allegrini was the first to start bottling wines from the family’s vineyards. When he died in 1983, he passed his passion and commitment to quality winemaking onto his three children, Walter, Marilisa and Franco. Together, they worked to build on Giovanni’s quality ethos until Walter’s death in 2003. Franco looked after the vineyards and winemaking, while Marilisa continued to manage sales and marketing. From the 2007 vintage, Franco sacrificed the Valpolicella Classico classification by bottling the Allegrini wines under Stelvin to eliminate cork taint and reduce oxidation problems. Franco sadly passed away in 2022. He was an inspiring figure who led the way in Valpolicella’s quest for quality, forging a path many others have followed. In 2023, Franco’s sons Francesco, Giovanni and Matteo, alongside their cousin Silvia Allegrini (Walter’s daughter), became custodians of their family’s historic estate.
Allegrini’s Valpolicella has a lovely intensity of red cherry fruit, lifted perfumes and a ripe yet zesty character on the palate. ‘La Grola’, sleek and beguiling, sets the standard by which all other wines from Valpolicella are judged. The ‘Palazzo della Torre’, a ‘baby Amarone’ produced by Allegrini’s modern approach to the ripasso method, is plush and rounded. Their Amarone is outstanding, offering an expression that is intense yet balanced. The ‘Giovanni Allegrini’ Recioto Classico, named after the winery's famous founder, is bursting with fruit and notes of cherry intertwined with pepper and thyme.
In 2018, Allegrini purchased 40 hectares of land in the municipality of Pozzolengo after years of scouting the Lugana area around Lake Garda. They created a Lugana defined by lively acidity, which balances the natural richness of the Turbiana grape. The resulting wine is stylish and elegant, defined by classic floral aromas and hints of almonds.
Vineyards
The history of the Fieramonte vineyard dates back to the mid-16th century when an ancestor of the Allegrini Family, Allegrino Allegrini, fought for the right to access a certain invaluable ‘naturally-occurring spring’ in this very special part of the upper Valpolicella Classica. This 3.86 hectare vineyard sits at an altitude of 415 metres above sea level and the south-east facing slopes catch the best of the morning sun. The soil is loose and pebbly, rich in stony matter, magnesium and iron, with low level of clay and good resistance to drought. The vineyard has been part of the Allegrini family for many generations, but in 2003 it had to be replanted due to a disease. The newly planted vineyard has a density of 4,545 vines per hectare and it is cultivated with Guyot training.
Vintage
2013 was characterised by specific climatic conditions that encouraged slow but optimal ripening of the grapes. In autumn, the climate was generally mild with temperatures above the seasonal average, followed by a very rainy and snowy winter. The mild conditions continued throughout spring. The months of July and August were crucial, with their high temperatures and highly beneficial day-night temperature variations, which were very important for ideal ripening. The climate during harvest in September and October was mostly good even if it was interspersed with days of heavy rain.
Vinification
Bunches were hand picked and selected in mid-September. Once at the drying facilities, the bunches were laid to dry until January, losing 40-50% of their weight. In January, the dried bunches were destemmed and softly pressed. Fermentation was carried out in stainless-steel tanks. The wine was aged in French oak barriques for 48 months before being blended. The finished wine then spent one year in bottle before release.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
The wine has a beautifully bright and intense ruby colour. The nose is reminiscent of the cherries that ripen on the highest hills in the Valpolicella region in July. The typical local aromas are accompanied by a deep note of black pepper and cloves. The palate is full, fresh and balanced with a subtle mineral note on the finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
16.5%
Acidity
6.11 g/l
Residual Sugar
3.8 g/l
pH
3.44
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegrini | Valpolicella | AL201 | R | Factsheet | |
| Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | AL202 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Palazzo della Torre` | AL203 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `La Grola` | AL204 | R | |||
| `La Poja` | AL205 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Giovanni Allegrini` Recioto Classico | AL206 | Sw | Factsheet | ||
| Grappa di Amarone della Valpolicella | AL207 | G | Factsheet | ||
| Grappa di Recioto | AL208 | G | Factsheet | ||
| Lugana | AL216 | W | Factsheet |