Featured wine profile

Le Salette Pergole Vece Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2018

A powerful Riserva Amarone from Valpolicella Classica, made only from selected grapes and positioned by the producer as a long-lived special-occasion wine.

External scores: 94 James Suckling, 89 Vinous.

This profile is designed to help readers recognize the bottle, understand the style, and decide where it fits at the table.

Why this wine matters

Pergole Vece is Le Salette's top Amarone Riserva expression. The producer describes it as a limited selection from old vines in three Valpolicella Classica crus, made only in the best vintages and intended for long ageing.

What to expect

Expect a full-bodied, concentrated Amarone profile with dark cherry, dried fruit, spice, balsamic notes, coffee or cocoa-like depth, and firm structure. The useful thing to understand is that this is not an easy background red. It is built for slow drinking, rich food, and cellar potential.

Food pairings

Best matches include braised beef, roast or grilled meats, game, venison, aged cheeses, mushroom dishes, and slow winter cooking. It can also work as a meditation wine after dinner, especially if served with aged cheese rather than sweet dessert.

Serving tip

Serve around 18 C. Open it ahead of serving, and consider decanting if the bottle is young or the wine feels closed. With a wine this powerful, serving it too warm can make the alcohol feel louder.

Best for

Choose this style for a special meal, a serious Amarone comparison, a cellar-focused gift, or a dinner where the food has enough depth to meet the wine.

Similar Veneto wines

• Amarone della Valpolicella from another Valpolicella Classica producer.
• Valpolicella Ripasso if you want something less intense and more flexible at dinner.
• Valpolicella Superiore if you want freshness and structure without Amarone's weight.