Allegrini Valpolicella Classico Superiore Grola 2022

Grola is a single-vineyard red from Allegrini, a family that has shaped Valpolicella Classica since the sixteenth century. The wine comes from the Classico heartland in the hills between Verona and Lake Garda, where calcareous, well-drained soils and the moderating lake breeze give a long, even ripening season. It is built on the traditional Valpolicella varieties, Corvina and Corvinone with Rondinella, each contributing differently: Corvina gives sour-cherry fruit and aromatic lift, Corvinone adds body and colour, and Rondinella fills out the blend. The grapes are fermented and then aged sixteen months in a mix of barrels and larger casks, followed by ten months in bottle, which integrates the oak and lets the wine settle before release. The barrel ageing softens the tannins and adds vanilla and a savoury cedar note, while the bottle time builds complexity. The wine pours a deep ruby. The nose offers cherry, plum and wild berries with a floral note, lifted by vanilla, tobacco and dried herbs. The palate is medium to full bodied at 13.4 per cent, with bright acidity, supple tannins and a savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, with a short decant, alongside grilled or braised meat.