Giuseppe Quintarelli Ca' del Merlo 2017

Giuseppe Quintarelli Ca' del Merlo 2017

Giuseppe Quintarelli
$120.00

Grape: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo, Croatina, Sangiovese
Vintage: 2017
Type: Red

This single-vineyard red wine represents a traditional ripasso method from Ca del Merlo, co-fermenting corvina, corvinone, rondinella, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, nebbiolo, croatina, and sangiovese. The Quintarelli family ferments the hand-picked fruit natively using wild vineyard yeasts. In February, the wine is racked onto wet Amarone lees to initiate a second alcoholic fermentation. Aged seven years in large neutral Slavonian oak barrels, this cuvée defines a classic estate identity.

It pours a deep ruby hue with garnet edges, releasing aromas of dried cherry, plum, woodsmoke, and sweet baking spice. On the palate, the full-bodied, robust frame balances a concentrated fruit core with fine-grained tannins. Savory notes of ground black pepper and leather blend smoothly into a dense mouthfeel across the mid-palate. A clean thread of natural acidity cuts through the volume, maintaining freshness. It finishes dry and persistent, leaving a lingering savory trace.

Giuseppe Quintarelli is a legendary winemaker from the Valpolicella region of Italy, renowned for creating some of the world's most sought-after and collectible wines. Affectionately known as "Il Maestro del Veneto," the late Quintarelli, who passed away in 2012, established a legacy of uncompromising quality, a deep commitment to tradition, and an intense focus on patiently aging his wines. The estate is now run by his daughter, Fiorenza, and her family, who continue his meticulous methods. The Quintarelli winery is famous for its use of the appassimento method, which involves drying harvested grapes on traditional rush mats or racks for several months. This concentrates the flavors and sugars, leading to more intense and complex wines. His wines, especially the flagship Amarone, are aged for exceptionally long periods in large, neutral Slavonian oak barrels (botti)—up to 8 to 10 years or more—before bottling. This slow aging process results in wines of remarkable grace, depth, and persistence.