Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Fieramonte Riserva 2016

Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Fieramonte 2016 is a powerful, single-vineyard expression of Amarone that showcases the very best of Valpolicella’s historic hillside terroir. Crafted only in outstanding vintages, this Riserva is a deeply structured, age-worthy red that balances richness, elegance and precision. Fieramonte is one of Allegrini’s most storied crus, long regarded as a benchmark for classic yet modern-styled Amarone.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2016 Fieramonte shows an intense, deep ruby color with garnet highlights at the rim, signaling both concentration and early development. The nose is luxurious and complex, with layers of dark cherry, dried plum and black fig interwoven with notes of cocoa, espresso, licorice, tobacco leaf and sweet spices like clove and cinnamon. Subtle hints of dried rose, balsamic herbs and a touch of vanilla and cedar from oak aging add further nuance. On the palate, this Amarone is full-bodied and opulent, yet impressively refined. Rich flavors of macerated black cherries, dried berries and sultanas are lifted by savory notes of graphite, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and a gentle, warming spice. The tannins are firm but polished, supporting the wine’s dense fruit core, while a lively, well-integrated acidity keeps the richness in perfect balance. The finish is very long, with lingering notes of dried fruit, spice and minerality. This 2016 has excellent aging potential; it will continue to gain complexity and finesse over the next 10–20 years, rewarding patient cellaring.

Production
Fieramonte comes from a prized, high-altitude hillside vineyard in the Classico heart of Valpolicella, where well-drained, calcareous and stony soils, combined with significant diurnal temperature swings, concentrate aromas and preserve acidity in the Corvina, Corvinone, Oseleta and Rondinella grapes. The grapes are harvested by hand, with strict selection of only the healthiest, ripest bunches, which are then laid out in traditional drying lofts for several months in the classic appassimento method. During this period, the grapes lose water and gain in sugar, flavor intensity and complexity. After gentle pressing, fermentation proceeds slowly at controlled temperatures due to the high must concentration, followed by extended maceration to extract color, tannin and aromatic depth. The wine is then aged for an extended period in oak (often a mix of large casks and barriques) and bottle to refine its tannins and integrate the powerful structure typical of great Amarone Riserva.

Food & Serving
This is a meditation wine that shines with rich, flavorful cuisine. Pair it with slow-braised beef, venison, wild boar, osso buco, truffled dishes, aged hard cheeses (such as Parmigiano Reggiano or mature Grana Padano) and dishes with dried mushrooms or reduced meat sauces. It can also be a luxurious partner to dark chocolate with high cocoa content or a quiet after-dinner glass on its own. Serve at 17–18°C (around 63–64°F) in large Bordeaux-style glasses. Decanting for 1–2 hours is strongly recommended in its youth to allow the wine to fully open and reveal its layers; older bottles may need a gentler, shorter decant primarily to remove sediment.

Producer
Allegrini is one of the most respected and influential producers in Valpolicella and a key force in the global reputation of Amarone. A family-run estate with centuries of history in Veneto, Allegrini has been instrumental in elevating quality standards through meticulous vineyard work, low yields and a thoughtful, modern approach to traditional techniques like appassimento. The estate’s focus on single-vineyard expressions—such as Fieramonte—has highlighted the importance of terroir in Amarone, helping to redefine the region from rustic red to world-class fine wine. Regularly acclaimed by international critics and collectors, Allegrini’s wines are now considered benchmarks for the Valpolicella region, marrying regional authenticity with contemporary precision and polish.