Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico 2011 (375ml)

Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico 2011 is crafted from carefully selected grapes, chosen for their ideal ripeness, known as the "ears" of the clusters. These grapes undergo a natural appassimento process on wooden boxes or rush mats, developing noble rot by January. After a 20-day maceration, the wine ferments with indigenous yeasts for 45 days, retaining significant residual sugar. The wine then ages for five to six years in Slavonian oak barrels, achieving profound depth and complexity. Despite its sweetness, it possesses remarkable balance and structure. This Recioto embodies Quintarelli’s meticulous winemaking, capable of evolving for decades. It stands as a timeless tribute to tradition, offering an unparalleled expression of Valpolicella’s rich terroir. Quintarelli's Recioto is, without doubt, a masterpiece of enduring elegance.

The last vintage this estate made a Recioto was in 2004, and at the time of this tasting, there was no future vintage earmarked to follow this bottling. Those of you lucky enough to taste this bottle will be rewarded with carefully crafted aromas of plum and raisin with sweet baking spice, moist earth, campfire ash, fresh espresso and a touch of bitter chocolate. This wine was bottled in 2017 and therefore saw ten years of aging in a normal-sized barrique. The wine shows utter silkiness in terms of texture and is surprising light on its feet despite its 15.5% alcohol. This is a precious collectors' bottle.

- Monica Larner, Wine Advocate 98 Pts