Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 5 to 20 years from vintage.
vintage5 yrs20 yrs22 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: morello cherry, dried blackcurrant, tobacco, dried violet, cedar

Palate: sour cherry, black fruit, cedar, dried herbs, graphite

A blend of local Corvina with international Cabernet in the Quintarelli style: concentrated, savoury and structured, with the Bordeaux varieties adding colour and spine to the Valpolicella base.

What it pairs with

  • Slow-roasted lamb shoulder
    The wine's Cabernet tannins and dried-herb notes are a natural partner for slow-cooked lamb.
  • Aged Monte Veronese cheese
    Local hard cheese with crystalline texture picks up the wine's savoury-fruit register.

How to serve Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, Aged Monte Veronese cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Primofiore represents Quintarelli's blend of indigenous Valpolicella varieties with Cabernet, declassified to Veneto IGT to allow the non-native grapes. Despite its IGT status it is one of the estate's most sought-after bottles among collectors.

  1. 1983: First Primofiore vintage as Veneto IGT

Facts

Producer
Giuseppe Quintarelli · visiting guide
Grapes
Corvina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Classification
Veneto IGT
Oak
Aged 3-4 years in large Slavonian oak
ABV
14.0%
Price
€120-180 at retail
Drinking window
5-20 from vintage
First vintage
1983

Frequently asked about Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore

What does Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore taste like?

On the nose, morello cherry, dried blackcurrant, tobacco, dried violet, cedar. On the palate, sour cherry, black fruit, cedar, dried herbs, graphite. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A blend of local Corvina with international Cabernet in the Quintarelli style: concentrated, savoury and structured, with the Bordeaux varieties adding colour and spine to the Valpolicella base.

When should I drink Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore?

Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore?

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder is the canonical pairing; Aged Monte Veronese cheese is the other strong match. The wine's Cabernet tannins and dried-herb notes are a natural partner for slow-cooked lamb.

What grapes are in Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore?

The blend is Corvina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. The wine is classified as Veneto IGT.

Tags

cabernet franc cabernet sauvignon cellar worthy corvina cult wine dry firm tannin full body high acid iconic mood bold mood contemplative occasion dinner party occasion special old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with game pairs with red meat price fine still red

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