Giuseppe Quintarelli Veneto Rosso "Primofiore" IGT 2018 [1.5L MAGNUM]
(Veneto, Italy)

About the Winery:
The late, great Maestro del Veneto, Giuseppe Quintarelli, fondly known as “Bepi” to those closest to him, was a perfectionist in every way. From the beautiful handwritten labels, to the best possible quality cork, to the exquisite wine in the bottles, the Quintarelli name is a stamp of authenticity and the ultimate indication of an artisanal, handmade, uncompromising wine of the highest quality. Over the course of an amazing sixty-year career, he succeeded in establishing his legendary estate. Today, the winery continues under the guidance of grandsons Francesco and Lorenzo, still producing artisanal, handmade, uncompromising wines of the highest quality. 

Quintarelli is considered the father of Amarone, with an ancient history that dates back to the early 1900s in Negrar, the epicenter of Valpolicella, where between 12 hectares of vineyards and with the utmost respect for tradition, about 50,000 bottles a year are produced. The property grows Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, plus small amounts of Sangiovese, Oseleta, Croatina and Saorin, the latter an ancient local white variety that they are looking to propagate with the help of the local nursery. The average age of the vines is roughly 25 years old, resulting from the combination of recently planted young vineyards that are only 7-8 years old and others that are about fifty years old.

Tasting Notes:
Bright ruby with light rim. Finely herbal bouquet with dark berries and delicately sweet cherry compote, plus slightly smoky notes. Builds up stately in several layers in the drink, the very elegant tannin flanks the fleshy, red berry flavour finesse-rich and velvety into a complex, long finish. 

About this Wine

This red is the exception to the rule at Quintarelli. It is aged for only two to three years—as opposed to seven—and only the Cabernet is partially dried. The Corvina and Corvinone are pressed directly after harvest. The resulting wine is named Primofiore, which translates to “first flower” because it is the youngest red-wine release every year, and the freshest rosso of the bunch.

• The “first flower” is the youngest red wine released by the estate every year
• Cabernet is partially dried, all other grapes are freshly pressed
• After harvest, grapes left in wooden boxes to continue ripening
• After pressing and fermentation, wine is aged for several years in Slavonian oak barrels

Varietal Composition: 50% Corvina and Corvinone, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
Age of the Vines: 30 years average
Soil: Limestone and Basalt

Vinous Media:
"The 2018 Primofiore wafts up from the glass wonderfully fresh and fruity, showing rosy florals, wild strawberries, green peppercorns and hints of sweet spice. This is silky in texture, with a hint of savory herbs up front, before further evolving to display tart wild berries with a subtle twang of sour citrus, which frames the experience nicely. The long, perfumed finale resonates with floral-tinged red and hints of blue fruit. This blend of 50% Corvina Veronese and Corvinone to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc is so incredibly pretty. Primofiore is matured for two years in cask and intended to be a more fruit-forward expression of Quintarelli." - Eric Guido (2/2021)