ALLEGRINI 'La Poja' Monovitigno Corvina Veronese IGT 2018 Bottle

Description

Allegrini 2018 La Poja Vintage Port is an exceptional expression of Corvina, showcasing the unique terroir of the Podere La Grola vineyard. Decanter awards it an impressive 98 points, highlighting its beautiful aromas of crushed rose petals, pink peppercorns, and vibrant fruit notes like strawberries and blood orange. Georgina Hindle praises its lively, energetic palate, with a soft texture and brilliantly integrated tannins, alongside a long, persistent finish. Wine Enthusiast gives it 96 points, noting aromas of black cherry and plum, enriched with sandalwood and clove, complemented by a mineral lift on the finish. James Suckling rates it 95 points, describing its attractive aromas of dark raspberry and figs, with impressive concentration and length. This wine is perfect for enjoying now or for aging, reflecting the elegance of the vintage.

*****

When Giovanni Allegrini decided to plant only Corvina grapes on the top of La Grola in 1979, motivated by a great passion for his beloved Valpolicella, he did not imagine the extraordinary success this wine would achieve.

The superior-quality viticulture and the perfect microclimate on this approximately 3-hectare plateau, whose white limestone surface dazzles in the sun, yield the best grapes that the Valpolicella can produce, to make this extraordinary and iconic Allegrini cru.

Tasting notes: An elegant, sophisticated wine with a noble profile and great aromatic expression. The enveloping and intense scent rises vertically, revealing ripe but still-fresh fruit, followed by notes of toasted tobacco, dark spices and liquorice. It enchants the palate with its extraordinary balance, lengthy persistence and soft, silky tannins.

DECANTER 98 points
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle
(at Bordeaux, 01 Aug 2023) Part of Baudains: Giovanni Allegrini's revolutionary La Poja vineyard
Drinking Window: 2023 - 2048
Beautiful lifted scents on the nose; crushed rose petals, pink peppercorns, such incredible incense fragrance - alive, pure, concentrated and expressive - strawberries and blood orange. Crystalline and pure, upfront from the first sip - juicy and so lively but energetic too - incredibly forward and electric almost. Direct at first, then slowly expands, increasing in intensity, mass and flavour as it goes from start to finish. Leaves a lingering buzz on the tongue with softly spiced edges and a depth of red cherry and plum fruit that lasts and lasts. Utterly seductive and expansive, not especially demonstrative in terms of texture at the moment, more controlled and calm, it's all about the flavours and the intensity of the acidity that gives this such a thrill. Just hinting at its potential with brightness and verve. Tannins are integrated giving the frame and the flavour is nuanced and poised. Great freshness with balanced acidity. Feels well made with intention and such lovely drinking pleasure, a benefit of the slightly cooler vintage. A wine that makes you think, and then smile, and then drink! La Poja is Allegrini’s flagship single-vineyard red and sits at the summit of Podere La Grola. The Corvina vines were planted in 1979 on well-drained chalk and stony soils, and its first vintage was in 1983.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 96 points
Aromas of black cherry and plum combine with sandalwood, clove, allspice and savory herbs to woo you into the glass. Elegant, refined, structured and full in body, this wine is pure class. The dark-hued fruit flavors are integrated with the savory elements of the wine, where each plays a key role. The star of the show is on the finish where a distinct minerality reminiscent of chalk stands firm with a lift of acidity around it. — Jeff Porter

JAMES SUCKLING 95 points
Attractive aromas of dark raspberry jam, dried strawberries and figs with hints of dark chocolate, flowers and orange rind. Medium-to full-bodied with very silky tannins and lovely dryness to the mid-palate. Impressive concentration and length, showing a very long, persistent finish with juicy black cherries and bitter chocolate at the end. Nothing sweetish here. Drinkable now, but better after 2023.

VINOUS 94 points
The 2018 La Poja opens slowly in the glass as notes of crushed ashen stone and savory herbs give way to crushed cherries and blueberries. This is a decidedly delicate and finessed style. Brisk acidity enlivens its tart wild berry fruits as plum and dark chocolate notes evolve toward the close. The 2018 leaves a coating of fine tannins to linger, finishing with admirable length yet structured. Always a standout, La Poja is a varietal Corvina made entirely from fresh (not dried) grapes. - Eric Guido

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
Bright with Corvina's cherries, bright with blood-orange acidity and fragrance. Scarlet juiciness, crimson sweetness, jewelled clarity of fruit and then a delicious underbrush of wild thyme, dried oregano, juniper and tobacco. The tannins are long with gentle, muscular clench and very slight graininess. Beautifully resolved, fabulously fresh, very appetising. It's such a treat to taste varietal Corvina, which simply shines from this cool, high vineyard. (TC)

THE WINE ADVOCATE 92 points
Drink Date: 2023-2032
The Allegrini 2018 Corvina Veronese La Poja (with 14,000 bottles made) delivers lots of ripe fruit with baked cherry, plum and earthy notes of wet clay, terracotta and rusty nail. Monica Larner