Recioto Valpolicella Classico DOC 2015 0.375 L Quintarelli

An Italian icon, the Quintarelli Giuseppe 2015 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico represents the estate's special blend of air-dried grapes (with Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Croatina and Sangiovese). Production of this wine is rare and sporadic. The last time we saw it was in 2011. In terms of the 2015 vintage, it takes a little while before you recognize its sweetness (this bottle has 70 grams per liter of residual sugar, which is much lower compared to the 2011). First impressions resolve around savory tones of Indian teak, resin and waxed furniture. It takes a little while to unfold, but the wine eventually appears very generous, soft and velvety with candied plum, prune and sweet tea.

Dark ruby with purple hues, the 2015 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico is youthfully coy, requiring coaxing to evolve in the glass. Swirling and time bring forward a more savory bouquet as exotic spices, balsamic tones and hints of incense emerge, followed by dried blueberries and violet pastille. This is pure seduction, like silk draped across the palate, revealing depths of ripe black cherry and wild berry fruits, enhanced by a core of blood orange. Even at 70 grams-per-liter of residual sugar, it's hard to perceive the 2015 as a sweet wine. Its zesty acidity adds harmony, closing with a pleasantly bitter tinge and gently grippy tannins that frame the experience so well.