back
Amarone
Producer
Alpha Zeta was started in 1999 when Liberty Wines set out to produce a range of modern, fruit driven wines from the hills outside Verona...
Working with leading New Zealand winemaker, Matt Thomson, our aim was to work with growers (rather than buy bulk wine, which is standard among most wines from Verona at this price) to obtain ripe grapes (by reducing yields and picking later) and then, using Matt’s expertise, preserve these flavours in the finished wines. The result is a realisation of the potential inherent in Veronese viniculture.
Vineyards
Located in the hills outside Verona. Several vineyards in excellent sites where the growers had reduced the crop quite significantly were selected. The soil is a mixture of clay and limestone with good drainage. The vineyards are south-facing, which makes them warmer than other parts of Valpolicella.
Vintage Information
In 2008, harvest took place in the first two weeks of October following a rainy spring requiring excellent vineyard husbandry to minimise the possibility of downy mildew. From September onwards, climatic conditions were perfect, with no rainfall, sunny days and considerable difference between day and night time temperatures.
Vinification
Selected grapes were picked in mid September and left to dry in specially ventilated rooms until the end of January. During this time the grapes lost about 40% of their natural weight. The grapes were destemmed and crushed at the end of January. Fermentation temperature was between 18°-22°C with daily periodic pumping over, while the length of maceration was 20 days. This Amarone was matured in oak (a mixture of large ‘botti’ and French oak barriques) for 18 months, lightly fined with egg-whites and then bottled.
Tasting Notes
Deep and intense on the nose with perfumes of dried cherries and blueberries, with notes of spiced autumn fruit compote. On the palate it is powerful but modern, with a lovely balance of ripe tannins and spiced, concentrated savoury cherry fruit character. A touch of woodsmoke completes the long finish.
| Vintage |
2008 |
| Grape varieties |
70% Corvina/Corvinone
25% Rondinella
5% Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| Region |
Valpolicella, Veneto |
| Winemaker |
Matt Thompson |
| Closure |
Cork |
| Alcohol (ABV) |
15%% |
