Giuseppe Quintarelli 2018 Amarone Classico

A profoundly layered and majestic Amarone from one of Veneto’s most revered producers, the 2018 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico from Giuseppe Quintarelli is rich, powerful, and elegantly structured. With intense dried fruit, savory complexity, and a resonant finish, it is crafted for both immediate fascination and long-term evolution in the cellar.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Produced by Giuseppe Quintarelli, a legendary estate synonymous with meticulous winemaking in northern Italy, this 2018 Amarone Classico celebrates the appellation’s historic tradition of appassimento (grape drying). The fruit comes from Quintarelli’s best hillside vineyards within the Valpolicella Classico zone, where calcareous clay and limestone soils lend both concentration and mineral precision.

After hand-harvest, grapes (principally Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella) are dried on straw mats or in well-ventilated drying rooms for several months, allowing water content to evaporate and sugars and flavors to concentrate. Fermentation is slow and extended, encouraging the development of rich, dark fruit character and layered aromatics. Maturation follows in large oak casks and some smaller barrels for an extended period, fostering integration of structure, oak nuance, and complexity.

The Quintarelli philosophy emphasizes refinement and depth over overt new oak character; the focus is on terroir, texture, and long-term balance, yielding a wine that feels complete and composed at every sip.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Sumptuous and layered, with intense aromas of dried cherry, raisin, fig, and black plum, woven with spice, cedar, licorice, dark chocolate, and hints of garrigue and tobacco leaf.

Palate:
Full-bodied and expansive, the palate reveals concentrated dried fruit framed by fine tannins and lively acidity. Flavors of candied black cherry, blackberry reduction, espresso, sweet spice, and subtle earthiness evolve seamlessly, unveiling nuance and depth with each moment in the glass.

Finish:
Broad, resonant, and persistent, with lingering dark fruit, savory spice, and a refined mineral thread that carries through to a long, contemplative close.

Quick Overview