Allegrini Celebrates at The Guggenheim

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the James Turrell exhibit at The Guggenheim Museum in New York, Allegrini celebrated 30 years of their single vineyard wines, La Grola and La Poja. The evening was colorful and exciting, highlighted by the pouring of 2010 La Grola and 2007 La Poja, and by Maralisa Allegrini's address to the gathering. (Click here to learn more about James Turrell on Artsy.net)

Milo Manara's Art for the 2011 La Grola Label

Allegrini is best known for its wines produced in the Veneto, in north eastern Italy. The Amarone is consistently well ranked among critics, and the Palazzo Della Torre is very popular and widely available. The two featured wines of the night are also products of that region. La Grola is a blend of Corvina Veronese, Oseleta, and Syrah from the Valpolicella zone. La Poja is 100% Corvina Veronese, a traditional grape of the region.

The realm of Allegrini extends well beyond the Veneto, with five wines from the Montalcino zone, including a Brunello called "San Polo". Also, from Bolgheri, in the west of Tuscany, they bring five IGT wines, under the Poggio Al Tesoro label. Accept for the Vermentino, these are composed primarily of Bordeaux varietals.

Finally, they have the Corte Giara label which is geared, for the most part, toward bringing everyday wines to the market, with options ranging from Amarone to Merlot to Pinot Grigio, eleven wines in all.

For this evening, the focus was on the two single vineyard Veronese wines, and the special commemorative art for the 2011 La Grola label, created by Italian illustrator Milo Manara.

This label was designed around the legend of the La Grola vineyard, which was shared with the gathering by Maralisa, and is recounted below.

Classic Turrell Lighting Above the Event

Not to be overlooked was the wonderful setting of the Guggenheim, and Turrell.

Two Works of Art

  The most stunning part of the Turrell exhibit, by far, was the Guggenheim rotunda ceiling filled with colored light of varying intensity. The effect bathed the room, and guests below, in shades of violet, blue, turquoise, red, grey, and more.

The Anniversary Label Bathed in Turrell's Light

The light subtly transitioned from one color to the next creating a supernatural ambiance. Below are few photos from the evening, and my tasting notes from this very enjoyable event.

Maralisa Allegrini Addresses the Gathering

 Recounting the Legend of "La Grola", The Crow

 The Legend of La Grola

 

 

 

Allegrini La Grola 2010. 13.8% ABV  $30

Tar and floral notes start the impression on the nose with a pleasant bitterness. The fruit here is raspberry and blackberry with a bit of milk chocolate.
The mid-weight palate has a nice chewy texture, with mineral, grippy strawberry fruit and nice length.
Firm and textured with an excellent composite of fruit and structure that produces a satisfying completeness. 91 Pts
80% Corvina / 10% Oseleta / 10% Syrah
16 Months in barrique, then 2 additional months after blending, followed by 10 months in bottle before release.

 

The 2007 La Poja and Turrell's Guggenheim Ceiling

 

 

 Allegrini La Poja 2007

The nose is complex and yummy showing dark plum and black cherry with espresso, nutmeg,
toasted almond / coconut cookie and tobacco.
The palate has nice dried black cherry and blackberry tart flavor, along with a little cherry liquor note and solid structure that works well at balancing out the yumminess factor with a fine grained grip.The finish is long and firm, with  nice minerality and sweet tobacco. 90 Pts
100% Corvina Veronese from a single vineyard, "La Poja" $87

Siro Pacenti "Pelagrilli" 2007 Brunello Di Montalcino

Siro Pacenti Pelagrilli, Brunello Di Montalcino 2007

 14.5% ABV

Forward dark fruit character on the nose, with pure black cherry and a little bit of funk.
On the palate, the black cherry continues, with more of a roasted nature to it. There is a nice earthiness, underlining on the palate, and a bit of minerality.
The finish shows light tannins and some warmth. 89Pts $40

Siro Pacenti actually consists of two farms, Pelagrilli, located northeast of Montalcino, the other Piancornello, just south of Sant' Angelo in Colle. Most of the vines are 20 to 30 years old.