2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Fieramonte

Generally speaking, Amarone is a big wine in constitution and power, but Allegrini's 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Fieramonte is an even bigger wine. This is a supercharged vintage that benefited from a hot growing season and a dry climate, which is important for successful appassimento. With broad shoulders and a full-bodied approach, this is a blend of 45% Corvina Veronese, 45% Corvinone, 5% Rondinella and 5% Oseleta. After harvest, the grapes are put in specially ventilated rooms to dehydrate for up to 120 days. Destemming and pressing occurs in the month of January following the harvest. The finished wine ages in French barrique for 48 months. You get thick waves of dark fruit, spice and camphor ash. In fact, those aromas are so large that they all fold neatly together into one large panoramic presentation. The wine sits firm and heavy in the mouth. Some 6,000 bottles were produced.