94 Points Vinous

The 2018 Valpolicella Classico Superiore pulls the taster close to the glass with a darkly alluring blend of dried roses, violets, crushed stone, clove and blood orange. It washes across the palate with silken textures, lifted and finessed in the style of the vintage, as ripe wildberry fruits swirl beneath an air of sweet lavender. The word ethereal comes to mind as the 2018 tapers off with sweet tannins that provide a lovely framework to perfumed inner florals and hints of blackberry that resonate.

Giuseppe Quintarelli’s Valpolicella Classico Superiore is a masterclass in patience and tradition. The 2018 blends Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc from hillside vineyards in Negrar.

After fermentation, the wine rests six to seven years in large Slavonian oak casks. The result is a structured yet elegant Valpolicella, with layered dark fruit, spice, earth, and fine tannins. A serious wine with quiet power.