2017 Allegrini La Poja IGT

95 POINTS

James Suckling

Very dense, tightly packed aromas of blackcurrants and blackberries, as well as notes of hazelnuts. Full-bodied and very silky with a super-refined feel on the palate. The tannins are so well integrated into the wine and the finish is long. This is very tight, but delicious to taste even now. Structured, refined and showing class. Give it a year or two to relax and expand. Try from 2023.

95 POINTS

Georgina Hindle - Decanter

One of two Allegrini wines making their debut on the Place de Bordeaux this year. Such an incredible nose, cola, vanilla, sticky tar, perfume, baked blackcurrants, herbal-edged cherries, plums, so much going on, so alive and expressive on the nose. Classy and contemporary, this is smooth and so seductive. Direct from the start, you get the tang of orange and grapefruit giving a nice bitterness to counteract the strength and richness of the dark fruit. Acidity is there giving a mouthwatering appeal and providing such a lovely base from which all the flavours expand - all perfectly controlled and in harmony. It's still quite tense and strict, in high definition and focussed. You really feel the sculpting of the elements - strawberry, red cherry, smoke and some sweet wood spices which have succulence and a touch of piquance along the edges. Smooth yet impactful, a bold style but perfectly executed with freshness, acidity and a clean minerality on the finish that just makes you want another glass. What a thrilling wine. Ageing 20 months in new Allier barrels, eight months in large Slavonian oak casks and then 10 months in bottle.

95 POINTS

2023 - Decanter World Wine Awards

Smoldering black cherries engulf a savoury aubergine and balsamic core, with a pillow of fine-spun, floury tannins, a piquant acidity and a memorable bitter coffee finish. Award: Gold - DWWA 2023

94 POINTS

Kerin O'Keefe - Wine Enthusiast

Made with the native grape Corvina, this red opens with inviting aromas of ripe black-skinned berry, cedar and spice. The elegantly structured, full-bodied palate offers spiced blackberry, licorice and black pepper alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2029.

93 POINTS

Eric Guido - Vinous

A burst of mocha and clove is balanced by dusty black cherries and savory herbs as the 2017 La Poja blossoms in the glass. This is a heady and extroverted expression with a pretty inner sweetness contrasted by tart black fruits and inner herb tones. Dark chocolate, cloves, hints of vanilla and candied lavender can all be found through the incredibly long and palate-staining finale. The 2017 finishes lightly structured. For all of its extroverted character, the La Poja boasts only three grams of residual sugar per liter. This may be a big wine, but the balance is remarkable.

92 POINTS

Wine Spectator

A graceful red, with supple, fine-grained tannins swathed in a lovely range of crushed black cherry, black tea leaf and Mandarin orange peel flavors. A subtle tang of minerality emerges on the lightly chewy and spiced finish.

91 POINTS

Falstaff

Intense red with purple reflections. Rich nose with a broad spectrum of aromas. Notes of ripe fruit, cherry, sour cherry, peach, apricot and candied lemon peel, followed by savoury notes of liquorice and black pepper. Rich and pronounced on the palate, sweet, characteristic note, fine tannins, long and persistent..