2019 Pergole Vece Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Now upgraded to Riserva status, the Le Salette 2019 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Pergole Vece (with a powerful 16.5% alcohol content) is a seriously big wine with lots of heat, lots of sweetness and lots of brawn. It lands like a brick over the senses, and I can't imagine a pairing with anything less than wintery meat dishes or polenta with melted Gorgonzola cheese. Aromas include campfire ember, resin, barbecue spice and smoked meat. There is a place and a time for a bottle like this that likely involves Alpine vistas and frigid temperatures. You'll be warmed up by this super concentrated blend of 80% Corvina and Corvinone, plus 20% Rondinella and Oseleta (with only 4,000 bottles created). This is a lot to take in.