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Allegrini La Grola 2004
Allegrini La Grola 2004 is the note I chose to dig out for ya’ll on this freezing Wednesday in the Veneto two days before I go back to London. Readers of yesterdays entry will know that all my wines are packed and ready to make the trip home with me to SW London so I’m senza vini for the next couple of days. To help fight the craving for quality wine I have been frantically searching on the interweb for wine bars and shops in the overnight locations of my mammoth 1200 mile drive back to London. First stop will be Gex (France), coincidentally home to a huge wine shop stocking great Burgs and Alsace wines so don’t feel too sorry for me, I have been throwing out my clothes and dvd’s in order to make more room in the back of the car for an obscene amount of wine bottles. Gex wine shop. Gex is a town world famous for its cheese so on Saturday morning I’ll be taking a trip to the Gex farmers market to sample the delights of this region. I’m a touch excited! If I don’t throw out my camera I’ll take some shots of Gex to upload on Monday.
Alrighty then. Allegrini’s La Grola actually makes its second appearance this year on Wine90. Way back in March I wrote a couple of entries on Allegrini. One of the most famous producers in the Veneto, Allegrini are world famous for their Amarone and Valpolicella wines. La Grola is a serious QPR alert, all singing, all dancing, slap you in the face with a wet fish BUY.
The La Grola won’t break the bank, retailing at around €14 the 2004 vintage is sheer class and another easy 90 point effort. We all like 90 pointers under €15 after all. A blended wine containing the Corvina and Rondinella you love from your Valpolicella but also with a splash of Syrah (makes me very happy) and even a splosh of Sangiovese.
Allegrini La Grola 2004 – BUY – €14
Deep dark brooding purple in the glass. Aromatically forward, notes of spices, baked plums, blackberries and chocolate. On the palate the wine is big and luscious with rounded tannins and a mid palate raisin inspired flavour profile, nice length on the finish if a little “hot”. 90 Points
As you’re all whipping me for recommending too many wines tomorrow, my final blog entry in Italy, I will dig out a note of sheer horror to accompany my note of my favourite Italian wine of 2008. Balance is everything after all.
Where can I buy this wine?
Europeans – Enoteca Lucantoni – €14
Americans – Stirling Fine Wines – $17.99
Brits – Andrew Chapmans – £13.99
Australians – Discount Wines – AU$49
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Ever been to Gex? Do you digg farmer’s markets? Ever tried this wine? Ever thrown out all your belongings to make way for more wine? Thanks for all the Brunello recommendations, across all formats Twitter and emails over 40 recommendations so… CHEERS PALS!
Very keen to give La Grola a go. We’ll miss ya Sarah!
There are many things I would gladly throw out in favour of carrying more wine in the trunk starting with my wifes cd collection. Have fun in Gex.
Gex is the name of a lizard, not a place in France
Widely available here in the states. I was impressed with the 03 so expect the 04 (better year) to be great.
we’re about to receive samples from allegrini. amarone for sure. not sure if la grola’s amongst them, thanks for the tip tho. =)
Yes, famous bargain in the USa for italian wine fans. I’ve already had the 2004 and would rate it a point below your rating, still very good.
Have a great and adventuresome trip back…I love the La Grola and I think farmer markets all over the world are great places to experiment with local food…had one of our greatest french vacations stopping in the markets to buy for our picnic lunches…safe travels Sarah…a presto!!!!Jil
http://twitter.com/_enzo/statuses/939075945 w00t!
Hope you enjoyed your vist to the Pays de Gex! We are happily enjoying all that the region has to offer – the cheese, the wine, the beauty! Mid November there will be a wine and gastronomy annual fair here in our little town, apparently it’s quite a nice event, drawing people from all over. We’re looking forward to it!lots of love from Gex 🙂