2011 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva

Giuseppe Quintarelli was known as ‘the Master of the Veneto’, and is the name behind one of the most renowned estates in Italy. Sadly, Giuseppe passed away in early 2012 and he leaves behind a legacy of producing remarkable wines with an outstanding philosophy, to his eldest daughter who continues to carry on the tradition of this great estate. With their easily recognisable hand scripted labels, these wines offer at glimpse into one of the world’s most faithful artisanal winemakers who was an ultimate believer in letting nature do her thing and in order for wines to reach their ultimate potential these wines were only released when he deemed them to be ready.

Only produced in exceptional years, Amarone from Quintarelli is one of the great wines of the world and one every wine lover should experience at least once in their lifetime. Attention to detail is critical during the drying process ensuring a natural and even result. The wine is aged for around seven years, and alcoholic fermentation occurs during this time to produce a dry wine at the end. Despite the elevated alcohol levels, this Amarone is light and lively on the palate, and displays an incredibly complex array of flavours even as a young wine. In truly exceptional years Quintarelli will produce a Riserva bottling of their Amarone, which on average only occurs 2-3 times per decade. Previous to this 2011 vintage, the wine was released in 2007, 2003, and 2000.

Other Reviews....
Only produced in select vintages when growing conditions are deemed exceptional, this is one of the most coveted bottles in Italian wine. The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva represents the last vintage seen by Bepi himself. Giuseppe Quintarelli died in January 2012 at age 84 following his struggle with Parkinson's disease. There's magic in this wine, and we raise a glass to the master of Negrar. It delivers elegant class and concentration, fruit freshness and the power (plus 16.5% alcohol) that comes with appassimento. It's an ethereal wine from a hot and dry vintage. There are many contradictions within the bottle, but it ultimately settles on a place of balance and beauty. I opened bottle number 1,443 of only 5,726 released. Drink 2025 - 2060.
97+ points
Monica Larner - Wine Advocate (Dec 2021)