2018 L'Arco ‘Pario' Veronese IGT

Veneto, Italy

At the young age of 17, Luca Fedrigo began his winemaking career under the tutelage of legendary producer, Guiseppe Quintarelli. Giuseppe offered him an apprenticeship at his prestigious winery. In 1998, after 11 years of diligent practice, and with the support of Quintarelli, Luca decided to form his own winery, L’Arco. Luca is an uncompromising perfectionist.HIs wines are of the highest quality - and cost a mere FRACTION of his former mentor's wines. These are very special wines and not widely available in the US. 60% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara and Croatina. This wine is made from 50% Amarone (grapes are picked and laid out to dry on straw mats for 2-3 weeks so that the gapes raisin) juice and 50% Ripasso juice that are blended together and then aged for 36 months in 1000L and 2000L Slovenian oak barrels. Very deep, saturated ruby. Fresh, piercing aromas of black cherry, violet, lavender and sweet spices on the nose. Then super smooth but dense, with wonderful poise and balance to the ripe red cherry, dark berry, aromatic herb and mineral flavors. Finishes long with youthfully chewy tannins and lingering floral nuances. Concentrated but tastes much lighter and vibrant than the majority of other similar wines.

92 points, Vinous. "The 2018 Pario holds my attention firm with a bouquet that starts dusty and floral yet grows in volume and depth over time. Dried black cherry, autumnal spice and flowery underbrush hints form in the glass. A tart twang of sour berries quickly contrasts a pleasant inner sweetness upfront, all accelerated by juicy acidity. This leaves mint and spiced orange peels behind while finishing with outstanding length. Talk about a fun wine. The Pario is a blend of 50% Ripasso fruit and 50% fresh fruit with the classic combination of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella and 10% Molinara."