The Great Challenge: The Grand Blazon "Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.G" Allegrini against "Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.G" Marion and "Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.G" Rubinelli Vajol

"Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.G" Allegrini

Appassimento

Natural over-ripening in fruit lofts with a 40-45% drop in grape weight

Vinification

Crushing and destemming of the grapes carried out during the first fortnight of January

Varieties

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

Harvest

Manual harvest of selected bunches carried out in the third week of September

Alcoholic degree 16.50% Vol

Total acidity 6.15 g/l

Sugar residue 3.3 g/l

Awards:

21 times 90+ Wine Enthisiast

14 times 90+ Wine Spectator

14 times 90+ Robert Parker

18 times 90+ James Suckling

25 times 3 Glasses Gambero Rosso

"Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.G" Marion

The valley of Marcellise lies to the east of Verona and together with those of Mezzane and Illasi represents the eastward extension of the 'classic' Valpolicella. The Marion winery has been located here since the 1980s with vineyards in the foothills, at an average altitude of around 100 m, on pebbly soils with a prevalence of limestone over clay. The Campedelli family that runs it has a strong red inclination and the wines produced tend to express strong personality, sought after with low yields on the vine, late harvests, withering and prolonged maceration. The skilful use of wood also contributes to scoring liquids that cannot leave one indifferent. Alongside the area's classic wines are original interpretations of Cabernet, Teroldego and a juicy white passito.

A dark, dense Amarone, marked by the toasty tones of wood, with a pleasant sensation of black olive pâté. Mouth powerful, warm, with a lengthening towards smoky accents.

Characteristics

Alcohol content 16 % vol.

Grape variety 45% Corvinone|25% Corvina|20% Rondinella|10%

"Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.G" Rubinelli Vajol

Grape varieties: 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella, 5% Molinara, 5% Oseleta.

Soil composition: Calcareous, tufaceous and clayey.

Cultivation system: 50% Veronese pergola and 50% Guyot

Harvest:

The best bunches selected by hand and laid out in plateaux are left to rest in the drying loft for four months, during which time the natural drying process takes place.

Vinification:

Between January and February, the raisins are pressed, whose dense juice is left to ferment and macerate for 30-40 days in stainless steel.

After racking, long ageing in large 30 and 50 hl oak casks follows, followed by bottle ageing.

Alcohol content: 16%.

Total acidity: 5.95 g/l

Reducing sugars: 4.4 g/l

Colour:

Purplish red with intense ruby highlights.

Bouquet:

Immediately striking on the nose for the explosion of aromas of cherry, black cherry, ripe red fruits still intact, blueberry, undergrowth, flowers and orange peel, which blend with elegant spicy notes, herbs, tobacco, dark chocolate, coffee, liquorice and pepper. Long warm evolutions towards oriental spices.

Tasting notes:

Enveloping, perfectly balanced, it gives the palate an immediate warm and velvety sensation. The body is full, the sip is solid, supported by a fresh vein and soft tannins. The full fruit and spice return again and again, in polyphonic accords. The palate has an excellent alcoholic savoury calibre and an intriguing mineral note.

It is a round, inviting, long and deep wine, perfectly harmonious in its taste components.

The tannic texture and fresh finish provide fine and measured sensations, caressing the senses with its uninterrupted balance between tension and lightness.

Pairing:

This is a wine created by time: the long withering time and long ageing time require it to be paired with dishes with a long cooking time, high intensity and aromatic persistence. The favourite dish remains the baked veal shank, with bay leaf, thyme, sage and rosemary aromas, to be cooked for a minimum of 6 hours over low heat (120°).

It is perfect with very mature cheeses. It is also a wine for meditation, for meat and for the spirit. We recommend uncorking the bottle at least one hour before serving.