2008 Allegrini "Palazzo della Torre" Veronese

*Top 100 Wines of 2011* This sleek, polished red offers juicy blackberry and black fruit flavors, backed by refined tannins and well-integrated acidity. Hard to stop sipping. Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Sangiovese. Drink now through 2020. (10/ 2011)

The 2008 Palazzo Della Torre is striking in this vintage. It shows remarkable harmony in a tense, mineral-infused expression of fruit. Hints of licorice, tobacco, mocha and spices develop in the glass, adding further complexity and nuance. All of the elements flow gracefully to a finish layered with the essence of crushed rocks and flowers. This is an absolutely delicious wine from Allegrini. Palazzo della Torre is made with a partial ripasso technique in which 30% of the fruit is dried Amarone-style, while the other 70% is picked and vinified conventionally. Once again, Palazzo della Torre is one of the very finest values in Italian wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. (2/ 2012)

This Valpolicella is a whole lotta' wine for the money! Sourced from the Allegrini estate in Fumane di Valpolicella north of Verona and is made from the region's traditional grapes--Corvina Veronese (70%), Rondinella (25%) and Sangiovese (5%). It's full-bodied, with dense blackberry and roasted black plum aromas and flavors accented by heady vanilla and chocolate notes. Good with steak or dessert.