Literary buffs will instantly recognize the name Alighieri as that of famous Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), author of Dante's Inferno, and the larger work Divine Comedy.  Dante was active in Florentine politics and military, and was a well respected author, poet, and philosopher.  After rival groups fought for control of Florence at the end of the 13th century, Dante was exilied from Florence in 1302, with a punishment of death should he ever return.  He wound up in Verona, and established the Alighieri Estate in the Valpolicella wine district.  The Estate has been passed down to subsequent generations over the last 700 years and has been making wine for centuries.  A marriage in the 1500's resulted in the estate changing name to Serego Alighieri.  In recent years, this famed wine estate has partnered with the well known Masi Winery in Valpolicella.  Masi now oversees techinical aspects of the wine production, and has taken over distribution responsibilities.

Vaio Armaron referes to the vineyard where the grapes are grown. It is one of the oldest Amarone vineyards in the region.  In fact, the term Amarone is derived from the "Vaio Armaron" vineyard.  The wine is predominantly composed of Corvina grapes, with a small portion of Rondinella and Molinara.  The grapes are dried on bamboo mats for 4 months, and much of the water evapoartes from the grapes during this time.  After the grapes have lost roughly 1/3 of their weight, they are pressed and turned to wine.  By letting the grapes partially shrivel, the juice that remains is highly concentrated.  The wine is then aged for 3 years in large Slovenian barrels, followed by 4 months in cherry wood casks.  The use of cherry wood for ageing wine is relatively unique.

The wine is a beautiful representation of a classic Amarone.  It is extremely accessible now, but can age gracefully for years should you so desire.  It has a deep red/purple color.  The wine has graceful legs.  The bouquet suggests hints of cooked cherries, crushed plums, and truffles.  The wine is full bodied in the mouth, as are most good Amarones.  Raisins and dried plums are prevalent on the palate.  The wine has a high alcohol content, roughly 15-15.5%.  The high alcohol content increases the volatility of the wine and makes the bouquet rather robust.  All elements of the wine work harmoniously, and the wine has a rich, satisfying finish.  Amarone wines are not for the faint of heart, but for anyone who likes bold full-bodied reds, this is a beauty.  Although not explicitly labeled as such, the wine is, in fact, an Amarone Classico.

I give this exceptional wine 4.25 stars.

 

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