Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOP 2014 Quintarelli

This was a humid and rainy vintage and many producers in the Valpolicella decided not to make their top-shelf Amarone wines, directing their fruit to wines like this instead. The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2014 Valpolicella Classico Superiore offers a spicy opener with tarry smoke and cured tobacco. It also shows some tart and brambly fruit, and this ties into what we can expect of the vintage. In truth, the ripeness is present and balanced. It undergoes a partial and brief appassimento. I am very much enjoying this more streamlined and elegant approach.

The 2014 Valpolicella Superiore Classico is pretty and understated with nuances of strawberry, hints of white smoke and dusty rose. This is lean in feel yet cool-toned and lifted, with mineral-tinged wild berry fruits and a savory herbal streak that saturates the palate. It tapers off long and almost salty, with violet and lavender tones that linger. The 2014 is a less powerful yet very pretty version of Quintarelli Valpolicella. It was tasted twice, once from a fresh bottle and then tasted from a bottle that was opened three days prior.