What wine is Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2015 Magnum - Le Salette
The Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2015 Magnum - Le Salette is a significant and enveloping red wine, produced in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, in Veneto. It is primarily made from Corvina and Corvinone grapes, with a touch of Rondinella and other local indigenous varieties. What distinguishes it is its intense character, a result of artisanal processing and selected vineyards from the “pergole vecchie” (old pergolas), the oldest on the Le Salette estate. In Magnum format, this Amarone fully expresses its personality: a structured, balanced wine capable of evolving beautifully over time.Vintage Details
The 2015 vintage was considered one of the best of the decade in Valpolicella. The season alternated between a warm summer and a mild, dry autumn, ensuring optimal grape ripening. The bunches were left to dry naturally in well-ventilated drying rooms for about 100 days, concentrating sugars and aromas. The result is a complex Amarone, rich in structure yet harmonious and refined.Winemaking and Aging
After drying, winemaking involves slow fermentation at a controlled temperature, which can last up to 30 days. Maceration on the skins allows for a deep extraction of color, aromas, and tannins. Aging takes place for over 24 months in French oak barrels and then in the bottle, where the wine completes its balance and develops remarkable elegance. The result is an Amarone of great longevity, with complex nuances and a profile consistent with the most authentic Valpolicella tradition.Tasting Notes
Color
Visually, the Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2015 Magnum - Le Salette presents a deep ruby red with garnet reflections, a sign of the wine's elegant and natural evolution over time.Nose
The bouquet is broad and refined: notes of ripe cherry, dried plum, and sour cherry emerge, followed by hints of sweet spices, cocoa, and a light balsamic tone. With aeration, nuances of tobacco, licorice, and delicate toasty notes are revealed, testifying to quality wood aging.Taste
On the palate, it is full-bodied, velvety, and exceptionally balanced. The tannins are fine and round, perfectly integrated into the wine's structure. The lingering finish is long and pleasantly warm, with a return to brandied fruit and dark chocolate. An Amarone that combines power and finesse, offering an engaging and satisfying drinking experience.Food Pairings for Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2015 Magnum - Le Salette
This Amarone pairs splendidly with rich and structured dishes, enhancing the most complex courses of traditional and contemporary cuisine. Ideal with:- Braised or stewed red meats
- Feathered and furred game
- Aged cheeses, such as Monte Veronese or Parmigiano Reggiano
- Significant dishes based on mushrooms or truffles
Storage and Aging: How to Store Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2015 Magnum - Le Salette
To preserve the qualities of this great red wine, it is advisable to store it in a cool, dark environment with a constant temperature between 14 and 18°C. The bottle should be kept horizontally to keep the cork moist and ensure a perfect seal over time. Thanks to its structure and balanced alcohol, acidity, and tannin content, this Amarone has a remarkable aging potential, even exceeding 15 years. In Magnum format, in particular, the evolution is even slower and more harmonious, revealing increasingly deep and nuanced aromas over the years. A collectible wine, but above all, one to be savored and shared on special occasions.The Private Dining Rooms
The History of Le Salette Winery Le Salette is a winery that represents a perfect blend of tradition and evolution, where the legacy of the past intertwines with the innovations of the present. Founded in the heart of Valpolicella, this winery is synonymous with quality and passion, carrying on a...
How to Open and Best Serve Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2015 Magnum - Le Salette
1. Bottle Positioning
To best preserve the characteristics of Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2015 Magnum - Le Salette, it is advisable to position the bottle horizontally for at least 24 hours before opening. This allows the natural sediments from aging to settle at the bottom. If the bottle has been stored in a cellar, gently bring it to a vertical position about half a day before serving, avoiding abrupt movements.
2. Ideal Serving Temperature
The perfect temperature for tasting this prestigious Amarone is between 17°C and 18°C. If the bottle is stored in a cellar at a lower temperature, let it rest at room temperature for a few hours. Never heat the wine directly — the goal is to gradually awaken the complex aromas without altering their balance.
3. Opening the Bottle
Given the wine's structure and age, opening requires caution:
- Cut the capsule just below the neck ring of the bottle.
- Thoroughly clean the rim and cork from any dust or mold residue.
- Use a lever corkscrew or, if the cork is fragile, a twin-prong cork puller to avoid breakage.
- Extract the cork slowly, and if it crumbles, filter the wine with gauze or an enological filter when decanting.
4. Inspection and First Taste
Gently smell the cork: it should smell of mature wine and dried fruit, not mold. Pour a small amount into the glass and observe the color, which for a 2015 Amarone should be an intense garnet red. On the nose, warm and complex notes of cherry in spirits, spices, and dark chocolate emerge. If the aroma is closed, proceed with decanting.
5. Decanting and Aeration
To enhance the aromas of Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 'Pergole Vece' 2015 Magnum - Le Salette, decanting is essential:
- Use a large, transparent decanter.
- Pour the wine slowly, ensuring that the sediments remain at the bottom of the bottle.
- Allow it to aerate for at least 60-90 minutes before serving. Aeration allows the bouquet to expand and softens any tannic notes.
6. Serving
Serve Amarone in large tulip-shaped glasses, which favor the expression of complex aromas. Fill them to one-third of their capacity to allow proper aeration even in the glass. Ideal when paired with structured dishes, stewed red meats, game, or aged cheeses, for a complete and nuanced tasting experience.
7. Storage After Opening
After opening, if not fully consumed, the wine should be re-sealed with an airtight stopper and stored in the refrigerator or a wine cooler at a temperature of 14-16°C. It can maintain its quality for 2-3 days. Before serving again, slowly bring it back to the ideal tasting temperature.