Allegrini : Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020

Characteristics and Tasting Advice for Allegrini Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020

Tasting

Appearance

With a deep ruby-red hue tending toward garnet, this wine showcases the intense concentration achieved through the appassimento process.

Nose

The bouquet reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, with notes of intensely concentrated black cherries and prunes, evocative of fruit preserved in brandy. Floral touches of violet accompany nuances of Mediterranean herbs such as thyme and rosemary, enhanced by black pepper and sweet spices. With aeration, the nose gradually unveils tertiary aromas of dried fruits, figs, vanilla, and candied fruit, along with mineral impressions of graphite and forest floor.

Palate

The attack is powerful and explosive, while maintaining remarkable elegance. The concentration of dark fruit and prunes is fully expressed, accompanied by notes of candied citrus and dried fruit. Despite a high alcohol level of 16%, the warmth remains harmonious with no burning sensation. The tannins, shaped by barrel aging, are present yet refined and perfectly integrated with the fruit. Preserved mineral freshness brings balance to the whole. The very long, lingering finish extends with notes of licorice, black pepper, tobacco, and aromatic herbs.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020 pairs beautifully with grilled red meats; game such as venison, pheasant, or duck; as well as braised and slow-cooked dishes like beef stews and pot-au-feu. It also pairs well with fresh pasta with mushrooms or truffle, an Amarone risotto, and aged cheeses such as 36-month Parmigiano Reggiano, Taleggio, or Pecorino di Fossa.

Serving and Cellaring

Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020 is ideally served at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. It is recommended to open the bottle one to two hours before serving or to decant it to allow optimal aeration and fully reveal its aromatic complexity. Use large wine glasses whenever possible to encourage the expression of aromas. This wine has exceptional aging potential and can be cellared until around 2055 under optimal conditions.

A Veneto Amarone Classico combining power and refinement

The Estate

Founded in 1854 in Veneto, the Allegrini family estate now farms over 100 hectares in the Valpolicella Classica, a region where the family has cultivated vines since the 16th century. Since 2024, Francesco, Giovanni, and Matteo Allegrini, along with their cousin Silvia, have been leading the Venetian estates, while their aunt Marilisa oversees the Tuscan properties. Allegrini has established itself as a global benchmark thanks to its mastery of appassimento, a drying technique perfected through the creation of Terre di Fumane, a revolutionary 5,000 m² climate-controlled facility. The flagship wines combine centuries-old tradition with technical innovation, elegantly expressing the complexity of Valpolicella’s high-altitude limestone terroirs.

The Vineyard

The grapes for this Amarone della Valpolicella Classico come mainly from the prestigious Marezzane and Villa Cavarena vineyards, located at elevations between 450 and 520 meters. These parcels benefit from optimal southeast exposure and significant temperature variations between day and night. The soils are made up of a complex mix of limestone, clay, and volcanic-origin materials, ensuring excellent drainage and great mineral complexity. The vines are 15 years old on average.

The Vintage

The 2020 vintage proved particularly challenging in Veneto. Budbreak occurred in early April, in line with historical averages, followed by a bright, dry spring with temperatures above seasonal norms, accelerating the growing cycle. Flowering took place steadily between May 25 and 29, with no water or heat stress. July marked a turning point with the arrival of abundant, intense rainfall, sometimes accompanied by hail. Despite these variable conditions, the contrast between the initial dry period and the summer rains proved beneficial. Cooler weather in August eased the growing cycle. Harvest began in mid-September, slightly early, in cool and breezy conditions that favored excellent sanitary quality. The ability to extend the picking period allowed for optimal selective harvesting parcel by parcel.

Vinification and Aging

After hand-harvesting in late September, the carefully sorted bunches are placed in the fruttaio, a climate-controlled drying facility, for three to four months of appassimento. During this period, the grapes lose between 40 and 45% of their weight, concentrating sugars, phenolic compounds, and aromas. In December, the dried grapes are destemmed and gently pressed. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks between 8 and 22°C for around 25 days, with daily pump-overs. Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2020 is then aged for a minimum of 18 months in new and second-use French oak barrels, followed by 7 months in large Slavonian oak casks. After blending, the wine rests for an additional 7 months before a final 14-month refinement in bottle.

Grape varieties

Corvina Veronese (45%), Corvinone (45%), Rondinella (5%), Oseleta (5%).