Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018

Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018 is a reference-point wine from the undisputed master of Amarone. Produced only in truly exceptional vintages, this is a profound, meditative red that collectors and serious enthusiasts seek out worldwide. Rich, sensual and layered, it represents the benchmark style against which all other Amarone wines are measured.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Amarone shows a deep, garnet-ruby core with a slight brick hue at the rim, hinting at its concentration and complexity. The nose is intensely aromatic, unfolding slowly with black cherries in liqueur, dried figs, kirsch, and plum compote, followed by layers of sweet tobacco, cocoa powder, leather, balsamic herbs, baking spices, licorice and a subtle note of dried rose petals. On the palate, this wine is opulent yet poised, with a dense, velvety texture and a remarkable interplay between richness and freshness. Expect flavors of macerated cherry, dark chocolate, espresso, dates and blackberries, wrapped in savory undertones of cured meat, spice box and earthy minerality. The tannins are fine, abundant and beautifully integrated, while the acidity keeps the wine lifted and energetic despite its concentration. The finish is long, warming and endlessly nuanced. Built for the long haul, this 2018 has the structure and depth to age gracefully for 20–30 years or more under proper cellar conditions, gradually gaining even more complexity and tertiary character.

Production
Grown on the steep, terraced hillsides of Valpolicella Classica in Veneto, the grapes for Quintarelli’s Amarone come from old vines rooted in calcareous and volcanic soils that naturally limit yields and intensify flavor. The blend is predominantly Corvina, supported by Rondinella and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Croatina and Sangiovese, each adding its own nuance to the final wine. Bunches are rigorously hand-selected at harvest, then laid out in airy drying lofts (fruttai) for several months, following the traditional appassimento method, during which the grapes slowly dehydrate, concentrating sugars, acids and aromatics. Fermentation is long and patient, using indigenous yeasts, and the wine then spends many years maturing in large neutral Slavonian oak casks. This extended, unhurried élevage allows Quintarelli’s Amarone to harmonize its power, complexity and elegance into a seamless whole.

Food & Serving
Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018 is a natural partner for richly flavored, slow-cooked dishes such as braised beef, venison stew, osso buco, or wild boar ragù over polenta or fresh pasta. It also shines alongside aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino, and can be a contemplative after-dinner wine on its own, perhaps with dark chocolate or a plate of aged cheeses and nuts. Serve at 17–18°C (62–64°F) in large, Burgundy-style or broad-bowled glasses to fully appreciate its aromatics. Decant at least 2–3 hours before serving in its youth, and even longer for maximum expression, as the wine will continue to open and reveal new layers over the course of an evening.

Producer
Giuseppe Quintarelli, often referred to simply as "Quintarelli," is a legendary name in Italian wine and a cornerstone of Valpolicella’s reputation for greatness. From his family estate in the hills of Negrar in Veneto, Giuseppe spent decades perfecting the art of Amarone, favoring extremely low yields, painstaking selection, traditional appassimento and very long aging in large barrels. His uncompromising approach and refusal to bottle anything that did not meet his exacting standards elevated Amarone from a regional specialty to a world-class fine wine category. Today, the estate is run by the next generation, who carefully uphold Giuseppe’s methods and philosophy, ensuring that each release maintains the house’s iconic status and continues to set the standard for Amarone della Valpolicella Classico.

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