Giuseppe Quintarelli Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva, Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Wonderful amarone. It definitely needs a night to come together after opening (and double decanting) and then it’s great on night two

Clear pale/medium ruby/garnet; clean medium plus nose of jammy red cherries, leather and bruised fruit (which blew away); dry-ish; high acidity; medium tannins; high alcohol; medium plus body; pronounced flavour intensity; palate is fruit forward with addition of fennel and cocoa; long finish; in a beautiful spot now with potential to develop further; very precise and focused; incredible balance; best after a 1 hour decant

A Brilliant Amarone, A gigantic hit of alcohol in the face and syrupy notes, never really opening up till 4-5 hours later. Wished we had given it the time it needed to really show what it was all about. Decadent, Opulent and Rich flavours. Fresh Candied Liquorice, sweet Honeyed notes, and definitely the unmistakable notes of sun-dried raisins. By the time it settled down to show us what it was capable of, we were at the bottom third of the …

Elegant and smooth -- drank over 2 hours after 1 hour decant. Definitely get more try new vintages

a beautiful wine, perhaps no one does this better, a decade or more to go, let it breathe

This needs a several hour decant. Visually and texturally lighter than the 2011 Dal Forno but certainly not lacking intensity. Chocolate, cedar, clove/baking spice and mineral. High acid and heat that needs years to settle.

First time experiencing such a wine. Very big at 16,5%. Nose is shy at first but after 2h decanting displaying strong chocolate and coffee expresso notes - quite unusual! You can definitely feel the alcohol level on the attack (but it fades away as the decanting gets going), however it becomes so big, intense, long afterwards while remaining balanced - super super good.

Wonderful now, with lots of promise for the future. A spectacular winery visit if you are in that part of the world; see the grape racks, learn first hand this unique winemaking. A bit of sweetness, a subtle fruit basket, long long finish. Quintarelli is the best.

Check in on some top Amarone : Beautiful nose here with oak, spices dark and red fruit, licorice, sandal wood. Reminded me much more of a Provence, South of France blend than an Amarone. Very good complexity. A touch alcoholic. Looking how well the 1998 did in flight two, I would really give this some time in the cellar. 93 today but with upside potential.

If you enjoyed 07 you'll enjoy 11. PnP and it's enjoyable already, but with 2 hours in decanter it blossoms into even richer bouquet and layered body. The 16.5 degree alcohol hides itself well. Maybe a bit more body than 07. One fun exercise is to pour half into decanter and leave the other half in bottle. Compare them and you'll be pleasantly surprised.