2016 PALAZZO DELLA TORRE, Allegrini. Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy

Bin: 570

Alcohol Percentage: 13.5%

Area: Palazzo della Torre is a 26 hectare single vineyard (centred on the beautiful 16th century Villa della Torre) in Valpolicella (near Verona in north east Italy), but not labelled as Valpolicella because of the 5% Sangiovese in the blend.

Grape Variety: 70% Corvina/Corvinone, 25% Rondinella, 5% Sangiovese; a third of the grapes are air-dried and then added to the rest for a second fermentation in December (a modern version of "ripasso"). Aged for 15 months in wood.

Producer: Allegrini is a large family-owned estate of 90 hectares. They are the leaders of the current revival of the area, producing fresh, modern, attractive wines without losing all the sour-cherry, lemony-fresh, gently bitter characters that signify its regionality.

Old Bridge Rating: Although not labelled as Valpolicella, this is a brilliant, if unusually clean and fresh example of Valpolicellla Ripasso. Amarone (made from dried grapes) may be more impressive but this is the ultimate in drinkability combined with intensity. Great food wine.

Press Reviews: "The colour of elderberry juice. Deliciously scented with cherries, orange zest and a touch of vanilla. Floral too. So aromatic. All those flavours on the palate plus a slight meaty flavour adding to the aromatic complexity. Oak is evident but not overpowering. Intense, firmly chewy and long." Julia Harding MW on www.jancisrobinson.com.