Amarone Della Valpolicella A Alpha Zeta 2022

Alpha Zeta, `A` Amarone della Valpolicella, Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy, 2022    

Grapes: 80% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, 5% Corvinone, matured in oak (a mixture of large 'botti' and French oak barriques) for 18 months before bottling, hand harvested, 6 g/L residual sugar

Producer Tasting Note:

This Amarone is deep and intense on the nose with aromas of dried cherries, plums, spiced autumn fruit compote and chocolate. On the palate, it is powerful with a lovely balance of ripe, silky tannins and a spiced, concentrated savoury cherry fruit character. A touch of wood-smoke completes the long finish.

Estate: Alpha Zeta was created in 1999 by UK wine importer, David Gleave MW, and New Zealand winemaker, Matt Thomson with the aim of making great wines in the Veneto that express both the true character of the grape variety and of the land.

The vineyards are situated at 100-400 metres above sea level in the hills outside Verona, in the Valpantena Valley, on south/southeast facing slopes. Cool breezes blow down the valley from the foothills of the Dolomites, which moderate the climate, enabling the grapes to ripen and helping them to retain their aromatic compounds and acidity. The soil is poor and chalky so the vines are low vigour and produce superior quality fruit. The vines are 20-30 years old on average and are trained using both the traditional Pergola Veronese and Guyot systems.

Food Match: Drink with roast duck or goose.