2018 Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore
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| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Region | |
| Appellation | Valpolicella Classico (Superiore) |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Grape | , , , , , , |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2036 |
| Available as of | Jan 14, 2026 |
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Description
Quintarelli's Valpolicella is unlike any other Valpolicella on the market. This wine is crafted with such dedication, passion, attention, and above all, time, that any comparison with other wines from the region is flawed. The grapes are gently pressed immediately after harvest. After three to four days, the must undergoes its first fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wine matures very slowly, then undergoes alcoholic fermentation on the lees of the Amarone grapes in February, the process of ripasso. After a few days, the wine is transferred to large Slovenian oak barrels ("botti") for further aging for approximately seven years. After bottling, the bottles remain in the company's cellars for a period of time before being released onto the market. The wine is a blend of 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a minimal amount of Nebbiolo, Croatina, and Sangiovese.
The Valpolicella Classico Superiore displays delicate notes of small berries, Mediterranean herbs, dried sage, and white pepper. On the palate, the wine is nuanced and elegant with a fine and exceptionally polished finish. This is the pinnacle of Valpolicella wines from this legendary artisanal producer.
Specifications
| Available as of | Jan 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Packing information | Box |
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Veneto |
| Appellation | Valpolicella Classico (Superiore) |
| Icons | Icon Italy |
| Winery | Quintarelli |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Corvina, Corvinone, Croatina, Nebbiolo, Rondinella, Sangiovese |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2036 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | Cellar deals |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| James Suckling rating | 94 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fruitig, Licht, Rood fruit, Soepel |
| Drink moments | Borrelen, Cadeau!, Met vrienden, Summer party, Terras, Voor alledag |
| Sommy Pairing Beschrijving | De 2018 Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore is een prachtige wijn die zich onderscheidt door zijn delicate aroma’s van kleine bessen, mediterrane kruiden en een subtiele toets van witte peper. In de mond ervaar je een genuanceerde en elegante smaak met een fijn, gepolijst gevoel dat perfect de complexiteit van de wijn onderstreept. Deze wijn past uitstekend bij kipgerechten en gehaktballen, vooral wanneer ze bereid zijn met zachte kruiden en een licht kruidige of romige saus, waardoor de verfijnde smaken van de wijn mooi worden aangevuld. Het is vooral een mooie keuze bij geroosterde kip met mediterrane kruiden of gehaktbastaardjes met een kruidige tomatensaus, waar de wijn’s verfijnde structuur en subtiele kruidigheid echt tot hun recht komen. |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94
Reviewed by:
Monica Larner
Release Price:
$125
Drink Date:
2025 - 2040
The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore (made with 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and 15% Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Croatina and Sangiovese) goes through a brief appassimento (that leans to the Ripasso method) and sees between five and six years in large oak cask. The wine's maturation has been slightly shortened over recent years, down from seven years in botte. This wine was bottled in February 2024, and we can expect the 2018 vintage to go into bottle in January or February 2025. The 2017 vintage is a little shy initially, but the wine does open to dark fruit and dried blackberry. There are two to three grams per liter of residual sugar that help to amplify the softness and texture of the mouthfeel.
I always try to schedule my tasting trips to Valpolicella during appassimento, or when harvested fruit is left to air-dry in specially ventilated hangars. The fruit loses much of its water mass during the process, thus increasing flavors, concentration and alcohol. Of the many estates I regularly visit, Giuseppe Quintarelli is among my favorites because of the traditional approach taken. There is one hangar dedicated to grapes drying in plastic crates, and on the other side of the winery, there is a second hangar with grapes carefully laid out on bamboo racks. You also see the celebrated trecce, or "braids," of grapes hung from a ceiling rafter. Each braid weighs 30 kilograms. It is such a beautiful site.
While visiting the Giuseppe Quintarelli winery with its cramped spaces and dark corners, I tasted with grandsons Lorenzo and Francesco in the very same tasting room I first visited 20 years ago with the master himself.
Carved oak botte stand outside the tasting room. One shows an enormous peacock, a symbol of purity, and around it are symbols of the family and their vineyards. The Giuseppe Quintarelli estate counts 11 hectares of vines on limestone and basalt soils. Annual production is 60,000 bottles. Only estate fruit is used, although extra fruit is purchased in some years if there is an emergency such as significant hail.
Published: Dec 05, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
94
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 115
Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2017
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Color
Red
Country
Italy
Region
Veneto
Vintage
2017
Download Shelftalker
Aromas of red cherries, restrained black pepper, graphite and flowers. Full-bodied with tingling acidity and warming alcohol. Firm, chalky yet ripe tannins that are just a bit tight at the end, otherwise a good, toasty finish. Exuberant fruit yet balanced overall by the structure. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
94
Drinking Window
2025 - 2032
From: Veneto Rising: Amarone, Soave and Beyond (Sep 2025)
The 2018 Valpolicella Classico Superiore pulls the taster close to the glass with a darkly alluring blend of dried roses, violets, crushed stone, clove and blood orange. It washes across the palate with silken textures, lifted and finessed in the style of the vintage, as ripe wildberry fruits swirl beneath an air of sweet lavender. The word ethereal comes to mind as the 2018 tapers off with sweet tannins that provide a lovely framework to perfumed inner florals and hints of blackberry that resonate.
- By Eric Guido on September 2025
After a short window of uncertainty, the Quintarelli wines have decidedly reached a new level. There was a magic to these wines under the late Giuseppe Quintarelli and his oenologist, Roberto Ferrarini, but over the past 14 years, the family has worked to create a new style centered on purity and elegance. For a period, the wines were very good and technically correct, but they were missing that old magic.
My recent tastings—particularly my preview of the 2015 Amarone Riserva, 2017 Alzero and 2018 Amarone—fully assured me that the current winemaking team is operating at full tilt. To be clear, the "magic" of the past could be described as “pleasurable rusticity.” These wines no longer show that rustic edge, which has been supplanted by a mix of refinement, purity, finesse and depth that I associate with the greatest wines in the world. I will always love older vintages of Quintarelli, and while the modern-day wines may be different, they are equally captivating.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
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Wijnhuis
The shy and calm elderly man, Giuseppe Quintarelli, is THE frame of reference for winemakers from the Valpolicella. Born and raised in Cerè, he has been running the family business since 1954, which dates back to 1924. For the last 10 years, he has been assisted by his cousin Marco. This house presents very traditionally made wines, with those ever so recognizable, unique handwritten labels. Its red wines age for an unprecedented length (6 to 7 years) in barrels of Slovenian oak, except for the cuvee 'Alzero', which undergoes aging on barriques. Our traditional flavors and methods must be cherished and not forgotten. Above all, we cannot force nature. We need to keep calm, be patient, use the right techniques and have a lot of passion. " These words symbolize the philosophy of the most famous Veneto producer. Quintarelli wines are very complex and are without doubt one of the greatest wines in all of Italy. Icon wines that without any marketing have made it to the most sought after wines in the world, the ultimate 'wanna haves' for collectors, on wine lists in the best restaurants even rare, almost mythical in reputation.
In the years leading up to 'Bepi' Giuseppe Quintarelli's death in 2012 from Parkinson's disease, there was much confusion about the ups and downs of this absolute top wine house. Giuseppe Quintarelli had been ill for a long time, but his relatives (four daughters and a lot of grandchildren) started a new chapter more than a year after his death. Quintarelli's heirs Francesco and Lorenzo (both grandsons) now manage together with Giampaolo (son-in-law) and continue to focus on providing only top quality. The 2006 Amarone was only released in late 2015 and is among the very best Amarone's available.
Food
Spijs
De 2018 Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore is een prachtige wijn die zich onderscheidt door zijn delicate aroma’s van kleine bessen, mediterrane kruiden en een subtiele toets van witte peper. In de mond ervaar je een genuanceerde en elegante smaak met een fijn, gepolijst gevoel dat perfect de complexiteit van de wijn onderstreept. Deze wijn past uitstekend bij kipgerechten en gehaktballen, vooral wanneer ze bereid zijn met zachte kruiden en een licht kruidige of romige saus, waardoor de verfijnde smaken van de wijn mooi worden aangevuld. Het is vooral een mooie keuze bij geroosterde kip met mediterrane kruiden of gehaktbastaardjes met een kruidige tomatensaus, waar de wijn’s verfijnde structuur en subtiele kruidigheid echt tot hun recht komen.
Klik op een categorie om heerlijke recepten te ontdekken die perfect combineren met deze wijn.
Heeft u al een gerecht in gedachte?
Laat onze AI-sommelier u helpen met het vinden van de ideale wijn bij uw gerecht
Start de Sommy Wijnadvies ToolQuintarelli's Valpolicella is unlike any other Valpolicella on the market. This wine is crafted with such dedication, passion, attention, and above all, time, that any comparison with other wines from the region is flawed. The grapes are gently pressed immediately after harvest. After three to four days, the must undergoes its first fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wine matures very slowly, then undergoes alcoholic fermentation on the lees of the Amarone grapes in February, the process of ripasso. After a few days, the wine is transferred to large Slovenian oak barrels ("botti") for further aging for approximately seven years. After bottling, the bottles remain in the company's cellars for a period of time before being released onto the market. The wine is a blend of 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a minimal amount of Nebbiolo, Croatina, and Sangiovese.
The Valpolicella Classico Superiore displays delicate notes of small berries, Mediterranean herbs, dried sage, and white pepper. On the palate, the wine is nuanced and elegant with a fine and exceptionally polished finish. This is the pinnacle of Valpolicella wines from this legendary artisanal producer.
| Available as of | Jan 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Packing information | Box |
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Veneto |
| Appellation | Valpolicella Classico (Superiore) |
| Icons | Icon Italy |
| Winery | Quintarelli |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Corvina, Corvinone, Croatina, Nebbiolo, Rondinella, Sangiovese |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2036 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | Cellar deals |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| James Suckling rating | 94 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fruitig, Licht, Rood fruit, Soepel |
| Drink moments | Borrelen, Cadeau!, Met vrienden, Summer party, Terras, Voor alledag |
| Sommy Pairing Beschrijving | De 2018 Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore is een prachtige wijn die zich onderscheidt door zijn delicate aroma’s van kleine bessen, mediterrane kruiden en een subtiele toets van witte peper. In de mond ervaar je een genuanceerde en elegante smaak met een fijn, gepolijst gevoel dat perfect de complexiteit van de wijn onderstreept. Deze wijn past uitstekend bij kipgerechten en gehaktballen, vooral wanneer ze bereid zijn met zachte kruiden en een licht kruidige of romige saus, waardoor de verfijnde smaken van de wijn mooi worden aangevuld. Het is vooral een mooie keuze bij geroosterde kip met mediterrane kruiden of gehaktbastaardjes met een kruidige tomatensaus, waar de wijn’s verfijnde structuur en subtiele kruidigheid echt tot hun recht komen. |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94
Reviewed by:
Monica Larner
Release Price:
$125
Drink Date:
2025 - 2040
The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore (made with 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and 15% Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Croatina and Sangiovese) goes through a brief appassimento (that leans to the Ripasso method) and sees between five and six years in large oak cask. The wine's maturation has been slightly shortened over recent years, down from seven years in botte. This wine was bottled in February 2024, and we can expect the 2018 vintage to go into bottle in January or February 2025. The 2017 vintage is a little shy initially, but the wine does open to dark fruit and dried blackberry. There are two to three grams per liter of residual sugar that help to amplify the softness and texture of the mouthfeel.
I always try to schedule my tasting trips to Valpolicella during appassimento, or when harvested fruit is left to air-dry in specially ventilated hangars. The fruit loses much of its water mass during the process, thus increasing flavors, concentration and alcohol. Of the many estates I regularly visit, Giuseppe Quintarelli is among my favorites because of the traditional approach taken. There is one hangar dedicated to grapes drying in plastic crates, and on the other side of the winery, there is a second hangar with grapes carefully laid out on bamboo racks. You also see the celebrated trecce, or "braids," of grapes hung from a ceiling rafter. Each braid weighs 30 kilograms. It is such a beautiful site.
While visiting the Giuseppe Quintarelli winery with its cramped spaces and dark corners, I tasted with grandsons Lorenzo and Francesco in the very same tasting room I first visited 20 years ago with the master himself.
Carved oak botte stand outside the tasting room. One shows an enormous peacock, a symbol of purity, and around it are symbols of the family and their vineyards. The Giuseppe Quintarelli estate counts 11 hectares of vines on limestone and basalt soils. Annual production is 60,000 bottles. Only estate fruit is used, although extra fruit is purchased in some years if there is an emergency such as significant hail.
Published: Dec 05, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
94
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 115
Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2017
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Color
Red
Country
Italy
Region
Veneto
Vintage
2017
Download Shelftalker
Aromas of red cherries, restrained black pepper, graphite and flowers. Full-bodied with tingling acidity and warming alcohol. Firm, chalky yet ripe tannins that are just a bit tight at the end, otherwise a good, toasty finish. Exuberant fruit yet balanced overall by the structure. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
94
Drinking Window
2025 - 2032
From: Veneto Rising: Amarone, Soave and Beyond (Sep 2025)
The 2018 Valpolicella Classico Superiore pulls the taster close to the glass with a darkly alluring blend of dried roses, violets, crushed stone, clove and blood orange. It washes across the palate with silken textures, lifted and finessed in the style of the vintage, as ripe wildberry fruits swirl beneath an air of sweet lavender. The word ethereal comes to mind as the 2018 tapers off with sweet tannins that provide a lovely framework to perfumed inner florals and hints of blackberry that resonate.
- By Eric Guido on September 2025
After a short window of uncertainty, the Quintarelli wines have decidedly reached a new level. There was a magic to these wines under the late Giuseppe Quintarelli and his oenologist, Roberto Ferrarini, but over the past 14 years, the family has worked to create a new style centered on purity and elegance. For a period, the wines were very good and technically correct, but they were missing that old magic.
My recent tastings—particularly my preview of the 2015 Amarone Riserva, 2017 Alzero and 2018 Amarone—fully assured me that the current winemaking team is operating at full tilt. To be clear, the "magic" of the past could be described as “pleasurable rusticity.” These wines no longer show that rustic edge, which has been supplanted by a mix of refinement, purity, finesse and depth that I associate with the greatest wines in the world. I will always love older vintages of Quintarelli, and while the modern-day wines may be different, they are equally captivating.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
The shy and calm elderly man, Giuseppe Quintarelli, is THE frame of reference for winemakers from the Valpolicella. Born and raised in Cerè, he has been running the family business since 1954, which dates back to 1924. For the last 10 years, he has been assisted by his cousin Marco. This house presents very traditionally made wines, with those ever so recognizable, unique handwritten labels. Its red wines age for an unprecedented length (6 to 7 years) in barrels of Slovenian oak, except for the cuvee 'Alzero', which undergoes aging on barriques. Our traditional flavors and methods must be cherished and not forgotten. Above all, we cannot force nature. We need to keep calm, be patient, use the right techniques and have a lot of passion. " These words symbolize the philosophy of the most famous Veneto producer. Quintarelli wines are very complex and are without doubt one of the greatest wines in all of Italy. Icon wines that without any marketing have made it to the most sought after wines in the world, the ultimate 'wanna haves' for collectors, on wine lists in the best restaurants even rare, almost mythical in reputation.
In the years leading up to 'Bepi' Giuseppe Quintarelli's death in 2012 from Parkinson's disease, there was much confusion about the ups and downs of this absolute top wine house. Giuseppe Quintarelli had been ill for a long time, but his relatives (four daughters and a lot of grandchildren) started a new chapter more than a year after his death. Quintarelli's heirs Francesco and Lorenzo (both grandsons) now manage together with Giampaolo (son-in-law) and continue to focus on providing only top quality. The 2006 Amarone was only released in late 2015 and is among the very best Amarone's available.
Spijs
De 2018 Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore is een prachtige wijn die zich onderscheidt door zijn delicate aroma’s van kleine bessen, mediterrane kruiden en een subtiele toets van witte peper. In de mond ervaar je een genuanceerde en elegante smaak met een fijn, gepolijst gevoel dat perfect de complexiteit van de wijn onderstreept. Deze wijn past uitstekend bij kipgerechten en gehaktballen, vooral wanneer ze bereid zijn met zachte kruiden en een licht kruidige of romige saus, waardoor de verfijnde smaken van de wijn mooi worden aangevuld. Het is vooral een mooie keuze bij geroosterde kip met mediterrane kruiden of gehaktbastaardjes met een kruidige tomatensaus, waar de wijn’s verfijnde structuur en subtiele kruidigheid echt tot hun recht komen.
Klik op een categorie om heerlijke recepten te ontdekken die perfect combineren met deze wijn.
Heeft u al een gerecht in gedachte?
Laat onze AI-sommelier u helpen met het vinden van de ideale wijn bij uw gerecht
Start de Sommy Wijnadvies ToolDiscover Wine Trivia
Sign in to unlock fascinating facts about this wine and expand your knowledge.
Sign InDescription
Quintarelli's Valpolicella is unlike any other Valpolicella on the market. This wine is crafted with such dedication, passion, attention, and above all, time, that any comparison with other wines from the region is flawed. The grapes are gently pressed immediately after harvest. After three to four days, the must undergoes its first fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wine matures very slowly, then undergoes alcoholic fermentation on the lees of the Amarone grapes in February, the process of ripasso. After a few days, the wine is transferred to large Slovenian oak barrels ("botti") for further aging for approximately seven years. After bottling, the bottles remain in the company's cellars for a period of time before being released onto the market. The wine is a blend of 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a minimal amount of Nebbiolo, Croatina, and Sangiovese.
The Valpolicella Classico Superiore displays delicate notes of small berries, Mediterranean herbs, dried sage, and white pepper. On the palate, the wine is nuanced and elegant with a fine and exceptionally polished finish. This is the pinnacle of Valpolicella wines from this legendary artisanal producer.
Specifications
| Available as of | Jan 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Packing information | Box |
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Veneto |
| Appellation | Valpolicella Classico (Superiore) |
| Icons | Icon Italy |
| Winery | Quintarelli |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Corvina, Corvinone, Croatina, Nebbiolo, Rondinella, Sangiovese |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2036 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | Cellar deals |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| James Suckling rating | 94 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fruitig, Licht, Rood fruit, Soepel |
| Drink moments | Borrelen, Cadeau!, Met vrienden, Summer party, Terras, Voor alledag |
| Sommy Pairing Beschrijving | De 2018 Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore is een prachtige wijn die zich onderscheidt door zijn delicate aroma’s van kleine bessen, mediterrane kruiden en een subtiele toets van witte peper. In de mond ervaar je een genuanceerde en elegante smaak met een fijn, gepolijst gevoel dat perfect de complexiteit van de wijn onderstreept. Deze wijn past uitstekend bij kipgerechten en gehaktballen, vooral wanneer ze bereid zijn met zachte kruiden en een licht kruidige of romige saus, waardoor de verfijnde smaken van de wijn mooi worden aangevuld. Het is vooral een mooie keuze bij geroosterde kip met mediterrane kruiden of gehaktbastaardjes met een kruidige tomatensaus, waar de wijn’s verfijnde structuur en subtiele kruidigheid echt tot hun recht komen. |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94
Reviewed by:
Monica Larner
Release Price:
$125
Drink Date:
2025 - 2040
The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore (made with 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and 15% Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Croatina and Sangiovese) goes through a brief appassimento (that leans to the Ripasso method) and sees between five and six years in large oak cask. The wine's maturation has been slightly shortened over recent years, down from seven years in botte. This wine was bottled in February 2024, and we can expect the 2018 vintage to go into bottle in January or February 2025. The 2017 vintage is a little shy initially, but the wine does open to dark fruit and dried blackberry. There are two to three grams per liter of residual sugar that help to amplify the softness and texture of the mouthfeel.
I always try to schedule my tasting trips to Valpolicella during appassimento, or when harvested fruit is left to air-dry in specially ventilated hangars. The fruit loses much of its water mass during the process, thus increasing flavors, concentration and alcohol. Of the many estates I regularly visit, Giuseppe Quintarelli is among my favorites because of the traditional approach taken. There is one hangar dedicated to grapes drying in plastic crates, and on the other side of the winery, there is a second hangar with grapes carefully laid out on bamboo racks. You also see the celebrated trecce, or "braids," of grapes hung from a ceiling rafter. Each braid weighs 30 kilograms. It is such a beautiful site.
While visiting the Giuseppe Quintarelli winery with its cramped spaces and dark corners, I tasted with grandsons Lorenzo and Francesco in the very same tasting room I first visited 20 years ago with the master himself.
Carved oak botte stand outside the tasting room. One shows an enormous peacock, a symbol of purity, and around it are symbols of the family and their vineyards. The Giuseppe Quintarelli estate counts 11 hectares of vines on limestone and basalt soils. Annual production is 60,000 bottles. Only estate fruit is used, although extra fruit is purchased in some years if there is an emergency such as significant hail.
Published: Dec 05, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
94
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 115
Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2017
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Color
Red
Country
Italy
Region
Veneto
Vintage
2017
Download Shelftalker
Aromas of red cherries, restrained black pepper, graphite and flowers. Full-bodied with tingling acidity and warming alcohol. Firm, chalky yet ripe tannins that are just a bit tight at the end, otherwise a good, toasty finish. Exuberant fruit yet balanced overall by the structure. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
94
Drinking Window
2025 - 2032
From: Veneto Rising: Amarone, Soave and Beyond (Sep 2025)
The 2018 Valpolicella Classico Superiore pulls the taster close to the glass with a darkly alluring blend of dried roses, violets, crushed stone, clove and blood orange. It washes across the palate with silken textures, lifted and finessed in the style of the vintage, as ripe wildberry fruits swirl beneath an air of sweet lavender. The word ethereal comes to mind as the 2018 tapers off with sweet tannins that provide a lovely framework to perfumed inner florals and hints of blackberry that resonate.
- By Eric Guido on September 2025
After a short window of uncertainty, the Quintarelli wines have decidedly reached a new level. There was a magic to these wines under the late Giuseppe Quintarelli and his oenologist, Roberto Ferrarini, but over the past 14 years, the family has worked to create a new style centered on purity and elegance. For a period, the wines were very good and technically correct, but they were missing that old magic.
My recent tastings—particularly my preview of the 2015 Amarone Riserva, 2017 Alzero and 2018 Amarone—fully assured me that the current winemaking team is operating at full tilt. To be clear, the "magic" of the past could be described as “pleasurable rusticity.” These wines no longer show that rustic edge, which has been supplanted by a mix of refinement, purity, finesse and depth that I associate with the greatest wines in the world. I will always love older vintages of Quintarelli, and while the modern-day wines may be different, they are equally captivating.
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The shy and calm elderly man, Giuseppe Quintarelli, is THE frame of reference for winemakers from the Valpolicella. Born and raised in Cerè, he has been running the family business since 1954, which dates back to 1924. For the last 10 years, he has been assisted by his cousin Marco. This house presents very traditionally made wines, with those ever so recognizable, unique handwritten labels. Its red wines age for an unprecedented length (6 to 7 years) in barrels of Slovenian oak, except for the cuvee 'Alzero', which undergoes aging on barriques. Our traditional flavors and methods must be cherished and not forgotten. Above all, we cannot force nature. We need to keep calm, be patient, use the right techniques and have a lot of passion. " These words symbolize the philosophy of the most famous Veneto producer. Quintarelli wines are very complex and are without doubt one of the greatest wines in all of Italy. Icon wines that without any marketing have made it to the most sought after wines in the world, the ultimate 'wanna haves' for collectors, on wine lists in the best restaurants even rare, almost mythical in reputation.
In the years leading up to 'Bepi' Giuseppe Quintarelli's death in 2012 from Parkinson's disease, there was much confusion about the ups and downs of this absolute top wine house. Giuseppe Quintarelli had been ill for a long time, but his relatives (four daughters and a lot of grandchildren) started a new chapter more than a year after his death. Quintarelli's heirs Francesco and Lorenzo (both grandsons) now manage together with Giampaolo (son-in-law) and continue to focus on providing only top quality. The 2006 Amarone was only released in late 2015 and is among the very best Amarone's available.
Food
Spijs
De 2018 Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore is een prachtige wijn die zich onderscheidt door zijn delicate aroma’s van kleine bessen, mediterrane kruiden en een subtiele toets van witte peper. In de mond ervaar je een genuanceerde en elegante smaak met een fijn, gepolijst gevoel dat perfect de complexiteit van de wijn onderstreept. Deze wijn past uitstekend bij kipgerechten en gehaktballen, vooral wanneer ze bereid zijn met zachte kruiden en een licht kruidige of romige saus, waardoor de verfijnde smaken van de wijn mooi worden aangevuld. Het is vooral een mooie keuze bij geroosterde kip met mediterrane kruiden of gehaktbastaardjes met een kruidige tomatensaus, waar de wijn’s verfijnde structuur en subtiele kruidigheid echt tot hun recht komen.
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