2017 Valpolicella Classico
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Tasting notes
Just mid ruby. Savoury marasca cherry with spicy touches. Slow to open up, but with real complexity emerging. A layer of persistent, finely ground tannins that are a tiny bit too demanding for the fruit on the finish. Perhaps just needs more time. The fruit is youthful enough to more than withstand further ageing. (WS)
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore (made with 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and 15% Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Croatina and Sangiovese) goes through a brief appassimento (that leans to the Ripasso method) and sees between five and six years in large oak cask. The wine's maturation has been slightly shortened over recent years, down from seven years in botte. This wine was bottled in February 2024, and we can expect the 2018 vintage to go into bottle in January or February 2025. The 2017 vintage is a little shy initially, but the wine does open to dark fruit and dried blackberry. There are two to three grams per liter of residual sugar that help to amplify the softness and texture of the mouthfeel.