ALLEGRINI `La Poja` 2005 The Allegrini family estate comprises 90 hectares of vineyard situated in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico area. The family has been growing grapes in Valpolicella for several generations, and the estate in its current form was founded by Giovanni Allegrini. When he died in 1983, it passed to his three children, who ran it together until Walter.s death in July 2003. Franco now looks after the vineyards and is the winemaker, while Marilisa is director of marketing. From the 2007 vintage, Franco sacrificed the Classico status of the Valpolicella and bottled the wine under Stelvin in order to eliminate as much as possible the problems of cork taint and random oxidation. Located at the top of Podere La Grola, Sant.Ambrogio di Valpolicella, the vineyard comprises 2.65 ha planted in 1979 at 310 metres above sea level, with south-east exposure. The soil is well-drained calcareous (78.5% chalk) and stony. Soils are marginally alkaline and combine with the active limestone content to reduce the vines. vigour. Double Guyot trained vines with about 4200 vines per hectare, with an average age of 21 years. The yield is 42 Hl/Ha. 2005 was a difficult vintage, with low spring temperatures followed by a heat wave in May-June and heavy, unseasonal rainfall in July, August and September. Careful vineyard management was essential in this vintage and quantities were reduced to ensure that quality was kept as high as possible. The grapes were de-stemmed and crushed, and the must macerated on the skins for 12-15 days with regular, daily pumping over. Fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel tank from 22-31ºC. Malolactic fermentation took place in November. The wine was then racked into new Allier oak barriques where it aged for 20 months, followed by 8 months in tank. It was bottled in March 2008 and released 15 months later. Intense ruby in colour, with perfumes of spice and blackberries with a mineral note, the 2005 La Poja is rich and full-bodied on the palate, with great structure and balance, rounded, spicy cherry-blackberry fruit and a long, spicy finish. Vintage 2005 Grape varieties 100% Corvina Veronese Region Fumane Winemaker Franco Allegrini Closure Cork Alcohol (ABV) 14.5% Acidity 5.7g/l Residual Sugar 5.5g/l Wine pH 3.6 Bottle Sizes 75cl, 150cl Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £61.60 (Including VAT at 20%)