ALLEGRINI Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG 'Fieramonte' - Veneto 2016 Bottle

Description

Quintessentially expressive of its terroir, the 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Fieramonte from Allegrini is a standout wine, receiving exceptional acclaim. Vinous awards it 97 points, praising its minty freshness and layers of tangerine, black cherries, and cocoa, balanced by a racy acidity that adds to its polished character. The Wine Advocate follows closely with 96 points, noting its tight structure and complex aromas of black cherry, plum, and cured tobacco, culminating in a seamless and full-bodied finish. Wine Enthusiast also rates it 96 points, highlighting concentrated blackberry and macerated Bing cherries, along with a finishing touch of firm tannins and lifted acidity. This Amarone is perfect for drinking now, showcasing remarkable depth and ageing potential.

*****

Fieramonte tells the story of Valpolicella and its most important traditions, underpinned by a combination of values firmly based on an upper hillside vineyard with slopes that face south, and on the stubbornness of man who has always reaped the best from those lands. Giovanni Allegrini, the Company’s founder and father of Walter, Marilisa and Franco, was proud of it, precisely for its upper hillside location and its fortunate exposure to the east, where the ripening of the grapes is very balanced. As he loved to say: the morning sun, driving away the shadows of the night, awakens nature and gently caresses the bunches.

Particularly intense and compact ruby red in colour, this Amarone opens on the nose with a dominant, broad and toasted scent of coffee and tobacco. On the palate, it impresses with its imposing structure. The tannins are centre stage but not aggressive on the palate, accompanied by a fresh and vital acidity that lengthens and streamlines the mouthfeel.

VINOUS 97 points
The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Fieramonte captivates. It opens with a minty freshness complicated by hints of tangerine and dill, giving way to mentholated black cherries and a dusting of cocoa. This is cool-toned and sleek, with a measured inner sweetness and racy acidity to balance. Polished red and blue fruits sweep across the palate with ease, leaving a bitter tinge of espresso and mocha that resonates toward the close. Tactile mineral tones ground the experience to the earth just as a web of fine-grained tannins settles in, leaving a classically dry tension. The 2016 finishes with tremendous length and potency. Allegrini continues to take the Fieramonte to new heights, and while many producers in Valpolicella prefer their 2015s over their 2016s, I must say, the balance here is otherworldly. This is not to be missed. - Eric Guido

THE WINE ADVOCATE 96 points
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Drink Date: 2023 - 2040
The Allegrini 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Fieramonte is skewed tight and buttoned up in terms of its intensity and its consistency. This balance is quite an achievement, and of course, we have the fabulous 2016 vintage to celebrate here. A year with classic weather patterns and no major challenges, the wine offers black cherry, plum, spice, leather and cured tobacco. The results are modern and contemporary with smooth tannins and a generous, full-weight finish. I love the seamless quality of this cellar-worthy wine. The alcohol is high at 16.5%, and only 5,000 bottles were made (hitting the market in fall 2023).

Allegrini remains one of the benchmark producers in Valpolicella. Under the leadership of Marilisa Allegrini, the wines offer consistent excellence, even in the challenging vintages. The only major news to report from this property in Fumane is a fun label restyling initiated last year. Published: Oct 05, 2023

WINE ENTHUSIAST 96 points
The 2016 is bold on the opening with concentrated blackberry aromas giving way to macerated Bing cherries all coated in allspice, vanilla and hint of savory spices. As the wine develops, drying violets and dark-earth notes waft up. The palate is full in body with concentrated baked plums with cocoa and chalk finishing with firm tannins and lifted acidity. Drink 2028–2050. — Jeff Porter

JAMES SUCKLING 95 points
A cooler year in a recent context. This cuvee (single vineyard) was made from 1965 to 1985, before the vineyard was infected with esca. The vineyard was then rejuvenated and the Fieramonte was revived from 2011. A rich, avuncular, throaty wine after four-years in 225L barriques. The grapes are dried for 130-140 days which is very long, even in the context of the region. Loads of residual sugar at the initial, spontaneous fermentation, before inoculation drags it to a palate-staining dryness. A big wine loaded with extract, dark fruits, menthol and anise. Very impressive. Drink or hold. - Ned Goodwin MW

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
Smells of prunes and pot pourri, dried cranberries and soft cigar smoke. Concentration and power but it carries its alcohol with gravitas and the sweetness comes from the integrity of fruit, not residual sugar. Black-pepper and nutmeg spiciness. Autumn leaves, a trace of bonfire, damsons. Deep tannins woven through the fruit. Layers and layers of complexity, throat-warming alcohol, but the wine finishes fresh with head held high. (TC)