2019 Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore

The 2019 Valpolicella Classico Superiore is made with equal portions of fresh grapes and grapes dried by appassimento. Kermit Lynch describes the house method as ripasso: the base wine undergoes a second fermentation on Amarone lees before moving into large Slavonian oak casks. Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella are central to the estate’s Valpolicella blend. For this 2019 release, the importer lists seven years of maturation in those casks. Its tasting description highlights blackberry, bitter cocoa and a soft leather note. The wine’s identity is tied to that extended preparation and the interplay of fresh and dried fruit in its production.