Wine Advisor
Giuseppe Quintarelli, Recioto della Valpolicella Classico 2015
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
An Italian icon, the Quintarelli Giuseppe 2015 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico represents the estate's special blend of air-dried grapes (with Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Croatina and Sangiovese). Production of this wine is rare and sporadic. The last time we saw it was in 2011. In terms of the 2015 vintage, it takes a little while before you recognize its sweetness (this bottle has 70 grams per liter of residual sugar, which is much lower compared to the 2011). First impressions resolve around savory tones of Indian teak, resin and waxed furniture. It takes a little while to unfold, but the wine eventually appears very generous, soft and velvety with candied plum, prune and sweet tea. The alcohol content is 15%, and production is between 5,000 and 6,000 bottles, with both 750-milliliter and 375-milliliter formats made (the price listed here is for the small bottle).
About the Producer
Giuseppe Quintarelli, the father of Amarone and a masterful wine grower, has left an invaluable legacy to his family who now manage the estate. Excellence, tradition, artisanal spirit, and authenticity define the monumental work carried out by this property, where only the finest vintages are produced. These wines, renowned globally, are incredibly elegant, displaying a beautiful mellowness and remarkable aromatic persistence. Despite Giuseppe's unfortunate passing in 2012, his influence on Italian viticulture, particularly Amarone, remains legendary. Located in the hills of Verona within the Valpolicella appellation, the 12-hectare domain was meticulously managed by Giuseppe, who gained recognition for his Amarone della Valpolicella Classico and Recioto, releasing them only after years of aging. Today, Giuseppe's daughter Fiorenza, her husband, two children, Francesco and Lorenzo, and a dedicated team continue the family's tradition. The domain upholds a traditional viticultural approach, drawing inspiration from ancestral practices. The vines are treated minimally, with no use of herbicides, and yields are intentionally kept low through meticulous pruning and green harvests. The grapes, destined for Amarone, are handpicked and dried for four months. The winery has undergone modernization to further enhance the quality of their exceptional wines. Giuseppe Quintarelli's estate is a true gem in the Valpolicella region, revered for its Amarone production. Their deep, complex wines, adorned with handwritten labels, have garnered international acclaim. The estate's portfolio includes Amarone, Recioto, and Valpolicella Classico Superiore, all crafted with a similar blend. However, their cult wine, the Alzero, stands out for its blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Produced exclusively in outstanding years, Alzero undergoes the same drying process as Amarone. Winemaking at Quintarelli is a patient craft. The top wines undergo a meticulous 20-day pre-ferment maceration for optimal color and tannin extraction, followed by slow fermentations and extensive aging in large Slavonian oak barrels—up to eight years for Amarone wines. Alzero, on the other hand, is aged in barriques for two to three years, followed by an additional four years in larger Slavonian oak barrels. Quintarelli's commitment to unhurried winemaking ensures the creation of exceptional, age-worthy wines that captivate wine enthusiasts worldwide.
