Giuseppe Quintarelli 2017 Alzero Cabernet Sauvignon Veneto

A rare and distinguished expression of Italian Cabernet Sauvignon from one of Veneto’s most revered estates, the 2017 Alzero is concentrated yet impeccably balanced. With profound depth, refined structure, and a seamless interplay of dark fruit and savory complexity, it stands as a remarkable testament to Quintarelli’s artistry and age-worthy potential.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Produced by Giuseppe Quintarelli, a legendary name in Venetian wine whose legacy has shaped modern Italian fine wine appreciation, Alzero is crafted with obsessive attention to quality. Sourced from select hillside vineyards in the Veneto region, the Cabernet Sauvignon fruit for this 2017 vintage reflects both warm days and cooling breezes that help cultivate ripeness alongside vibrant natural acidity.

The Quintarelli approach blends traditional and meticulous winemaking techniques. Grapes were hand-harvested with strict selection, then fermented with gentle extraction to preserve varietal purity and depth of flavor. After fermentation, the wine was aged extensively in large Slavonian oak casks—an old-world vessel known for subtle oxygen exchange and integration rather than overt oak flavor. Extended maturation allows texture, structure, and complexity to coalesce into a harmonious whole while maintaining freshness and focus.

Critics Reviews
Published professional critics have widely recognized Giuseppe Quintarelli’s Alzero across vintages for its depth, balance, and longevity, with the 2017 in particular drawing strong praise from established reviewers.

• James Suckling awards the 2017 Alzero 96 points, highlighting its “intense blackcurrant and plum fruit with cedar and tobacco leaf, framed by polished tannins and extraordinary length.”

• Wine Advocate scores it 95+ points, praising its “rich, layered dark fruit and spice complexity, supported by refined oak and a seamless texture that unfolds with air.”

• Vinous gives the wine 94 points, noting “pure, structured Cabernet expression and remarkable persistence, with hints of graphite and savory forest floor emerging on the finish.”

These published scores from respected critics underline the wine’s rare combination of power, elegance, and maturation capacity.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Deep and inviting, with aromatic layers of blackcurrant, black cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco leaf, violet petal, and a touch of graphite.

Palate:
Full-bodied and luxurious, revealing concentrated dark fruit at the core balanced by fine, polished tannins. Flavors of cassis, black plum, and dark chocolate emerge alongside savory spice, clove, and subtle forest floor notes. Seamless texture and lively acidity lend energy and lift.

Finish:
Long, resonant, and complex, with lingering dark fruit, spice, and a refined echo of cedar and mineral nuance that reward slow contemplation.

Quick Overview