2007 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Quintarelli has essentially been a construction site for the last few years. During my most recent visit I was able to get a good look at the new facilities in a nearly finished state. I have to say the latest incarnation of the winery is stunning. The design is daring and modern - almost shockingly so - yet it also pays homage to Giuseppe Quintarelli's legacy in a deep and touching way. As for the wines, this set of new releases will delight Quintarelli fans. Even more importantly, the estate appears to be in very good hands under the stewardship of Francesco Quintarelli, Giuseppe's grandson.

The estate is now run by the family of Fiorenza Quintarelli, Giuseppe’s eldest daughter, with her husband Giampaolo and the two sons, Francesco and his brother Lorenzo, currently training in the USA. Francesco, who has now become the face of the estate (he modestly jokes “…if for no other reason, because I speak English well!”), has a degree in Economics. The property grows Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, plus small amounts of Sangiovese, Oseleta, Croatina and Saorin, the latter an ancient local white variety that they are looking to propagate with the help of the local nursery. The average age of the vines is roughly 25 years old, resulting from the combination of recently planted young vineyards that are only 7-8 years old and others that are about fifty years old. Quintarelli Amarone’s are benchmarks for the denomination. Quintarelli’s Amarone Riserva can be especially memorable. Unfortunately, it is made sparingly, for example only three years out of ten in the ‘90s decade (in 1990, 1995, and 2000). It is only made in the best years from the best grapes, and ages ten years in oak instead of eight. Actually, never mind the paucity of the Riserva, as Francesco Quintarelli told me the estate won’t be coming out with too many Amarones in the next few years either. The family was unhappy with the weather conditions of 2008 and 2010, so they plan to make a Rosso del Bepi from those two years (Rosso del Bepi is the name given to their declassified Amarones), while they’ll be releasing an Amarone from the 2009 vintage.