WTN: Veronese IGT La Grola, Allegrini, 1999

[Alberto]

From La Grola vineyard in S.Ambrogio di Valpolicella (24,26 Ha); 70% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, 10% Syrah, 5% Sangiovese; 17 months in wood; 13,65% ABV.

This wine was born as a cru Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC, then the producer kicked out the Molinara grape from the blend and declassified it into Veronese IGT; now it can earn the DOC once again, since the new regulations approved last year do not compulsory include Molinara in the Valpolicella blend.

Dark ruby with tiny purple shades, very attractive indeed. Integrated, ripe Valpo nose of blackberries and mint tea but with more peppery, spicy, smoky nouances which are not so typical of the style, in my opinion. Medium bodied, lightly "perfumy" fruit, soft tannins, some oak and some meaty notes; round and quite rich although somewhat straight-forward. The finish has again a lavender-like perfumy tone. I'd expected (and liked) a firmer tannic structure. Good but not much more, and maybe already peaking. Not worthy the US$20 price tag, IMHO.

Importers: Winebow Inc. (USA) - Philippe Dandurand (Canada)

Cheers,

Alberto

[futronic]

This wine will be released here soon at about $31CAD, so not much higher than in the US after currency conversion (it works out to about $22USD).