In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, leather, dried fig, dark chocolate, incense
Palate: dark plum, espresso, dried orange peel, cedar, liquorice, iron
The definitive benchmark Amarone: monumental concentration from multi-variety appassimento, extraordinary aromatic depth of dried fruit, leather and tobacco, with firm but resolved tannins and a finish of exceptional length.
What it pairs with
-
Braised beef short rib with polenta
The wine's dried-fruit concentration and firm tannins embrace the collagen richness of long-braised beef; polenta's neutrality lets the Amarone speak. -
Aged Parmigiano Reggiano
Crystalline salt crystals and umami amplify the wine's savoury-cedar register. -
Risotto with porcini mushrooms
Earthy mushroom umami mirrors the wine's incense and tobacco complexity.
History
Giuseppe Quintarelli began commercial bottling of his Amarone in the 1950s from the family's holdings above Negrar. He rejected any shortcuts in production: minimum four years drying on bamboo trellises in the fruttaio, seven-plus years in large Slavonian oak, and no filtration. The result is the longest-lived and most collected Amarone of the Classico zone, with the estate now run by his daughter Fiorenza.
- 1958 — First documented Quintarelli Amarone bottling
- 1980 — Extended maceration and long oak regime codified under Giuseppe's singular approach
- 2012 — Giuseppe Quintarelli passes away; Fiorenza Quintarelli takes over direction
Facts
- Producer
- Giuseppe Quintarelli
- Grapes
- Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara, Oseleta, Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Classification
- Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
- Oak
- Aged 7-8 years in large Slavonian oak casks before release
- ABV
- 16.5%
- Price
- €400-600 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10-40 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1958