ALLEGRINI | Valpolicella Superiore | 2021
corvina | rondinella | molinara

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Rooted in the heart of Valpolicella Classica since the 16th century, the Allegrini family stands as one of the most respected and influential names in italian winemaking. With over 100 hectares of vineyards cultivated across the hills of Fumane, Sant’Ambrogio, and San Pietro in Cariano, their legacy is built on a deep understanding of the land and a relentless pursuit of quality. Allegrini masterfully blends centuries-old traditions with thoughtful innovation, with careful grape selection and the use of both, large slavonian oak casks and small french barriques, designed to enhance, and not mask, the authenticity of each grape variety.
Today we are going to review a genuine Valpolicella blend from the Veneto wine region in northern Italy – Valpolicella Superiore 2021 by Allegrini. This wine is a classic Valpolicella blend, made of the region’s three main grape varieties: 65% corvina (known locally as corvina veronese), 30% rondinella and 5% molinara, where corvina forms the wine’s main body and structure, rondinella is all about up-front richness, bringing red fruits to the foreground, while molinara adds refinment to the mid-palate and offers a more dynamic finish. This wine offers a true and genuine introduction to the world of corvina veronese – the cornerstone grape of Valpolicella wine region. The ‘Superiore‘ designation indicates a higher alcohol content and at least one year of aging, resulting in a wine with greater complexity and structure than a standard Valpolicella wine.

The grapes for this wine are sourced from the hillside vineyards situated at altitudes between 180 and 220 meters above sea level, planted on those famous veronese soils that are rich in clay and limestone. In order to preserve the varietal characteristics of each grape variety, the winemaking techniques included soft pressing, followed by fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged briefly, first in stainless steel vats, followed by two months of ageing in large oak barrels (mostly slavonian oak), with an additional two months of bottle ageing before its market release.

The ​Valpolicella wine region, nestled in the hills of Veneto just north of Verona, is renowned for its diverse terroir and rich winemaking heritage. The region’s continental climate features warm days and cool nights, ideal for cultivating late ripening grape varieties such as corvina, corvinone, rondinella, and molinara. The soils vary from limestone-rich to clay and volcanic subsoils, all of them contributing to the complexity of the wines produced here. This terroir imparts a distinctive signature: the clay provides richness and body, the limestone contributes minerality and structure, and the stony elements ensure good drainage, encouraging deep root growth. The wines of Valpolicella range from the light and fruity Valpolicella Classico to the robust and full-bodied Amarone della Valpolicella. This diversity in styles showcases the region’s ability to produce wines that are both, approachable in youth or able to age for a decade or two.

color: medium-dee garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades at the rim

In the glass, the wine presents a medium-deep garnet color, with hazy garnet shades towards the rim of the glass, hinting at its youthful stage of development.

intensity: rich & savory
fruit character: ripe & dehydrated

The olfactory profile is rich and distinctly savory, with a rip to dehydrated fruit character, complemented by a nuanced earthy accent. The foreground reveals savory notes of iron, a touch of iodine, well-worn leather, and brown olive. These mingle seamlessly with a core of red and black fruits – think dark cherry, ripe plum, tart cranberry, blackberry, and redcurrant, underscored by nuanced earthy suggestions. In the background, a deeper earthiness emerges, evoking brown soil, clay, and loam, accompanied by a subtle hint of red pepper spice and a delicate whisper of tobacco, likely from the brief oak influence.

sweetness: bone dry | acidity: high | alcohol: medium+ | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: seedy-crisp

On the palate, the wine reveals a crisp and youthful mouthfeel characterized by pronounced tannic seediness. The wine feels nicely structured, though currently exhibits a slight astringency and a delicately rustic charm befitting its age and style. The acidity is high, providing a vibrant spine that cuts through the richness of the fruit and lends freshness. Tannins are high and grippy, possessing a seedy texture that contributes to the wine’s firm structure and slightly angular mouthfeel. A touch of alcoholic warmth adds even more structure without overpowering the palate. The finish is medium+ in length, leading to a crisp and seedy aftertaste that lingers persistently.

maturity: developing | drink in 3 to 5 years
verdict: fine | an excellent wine | a wine of premium quality with good potential

Overall, this is a crisp, seedy, and savory wine that offers a firm and honest representation of the dry, old-world-styled Valpolicella. It is well-structured, with a nice fingerprint of the local terroir, yet the wine’s youthfulness forms a slightly angular mouthfeel, thus lacking in elegance and finesse. There are clear hints of future sophistication beneath the surface, as this is a wine that is still developing and will benefit significantly from further aging. We recommend cellaring it for at least 3 to 5 years to allow the tannins to soften and integrate, revealing a more harmonious and complex profile. All in all, this is a fine Valpolicella Superiore wine with a promising potential for further development.

Given the wine’s pronounced acidity and firm tannic structure, we’d suggest dishes with pronounced richness and depth of flavour. An excellent pairing would be Osso Buco alla Milanese. The wine’s vibrant acidity would cut beautifully through the richness of the braised veal shank, while its savory and earthy tones would complement the slow-cooked flavors of the meat and vegetables. The wine’s structure is robust enough to stand up to this hearty dish, creating a congruent and satisfying match that would highlight the rustic elegance of both the food and the wine. Enjoy!
ALLEGRINI | Valpolicella Superiore | 2021
variety: corvina | rondinella | molinara
country: Italy
region: Veneto | Verona | Valpolicella
rating: 93.6

The Allegrini family’s winemaking history stretches back an astonishing five centuries, making them true custodians of Valpolicella tradition. Despite this deep heritage, they were among the first to experiment with french barriques alongside traditional large slavonian oak casks, demonstrating an innovative, forward-thinking approach. The name ‘Allegrini’ itself has become synonymous with high-quality Valpolicella wines.

© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation. Cheers!