Not much has changed for this bottle in the past seven years. The fruit is still intact and the acid is bright and balancing. It is a big wine that somehow Quintarelli manages to tame and turn into quite an elegant bottle. Outstanding, once again.
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Opened at Commis, Oakland. In a beautiful place right now. Mature dark fruit complicated by earth notes, with harmonious soft tannins and round ripasso richness that is neither overpowering nor sweet. This is why one ages wine.
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I would call this fully resolved and mature at this point. Medium bodied, but rich and with some sense of sweetness. Deep flavored with the complexity and flavor profile that is so unique to Quntarelli. I don't see much upside in further aging.
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Had no chance to decant. PnP. Notes taken 4 hours after opening. Dark purple opaque color. Flowery strawberry nose. Full-bodied red fruit on the palate with good acids; tannins long gone. Long pleasing aftertaste. Probably should drink remaining bottles over next three years.
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Great nose of plums, black cherries. tobacco, ceder, anise and violets. The tertiary notes were very present and after a decant the wine opened up considerably. The tannins have integrated very well to offer a wine at a great place. Drink up.
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Nose: Gorgeous and layered nose with black cherries, earth tones, tobacco notes, leather, violets, perfumes, licorice, dark red fruits, and some liqueur tones.
Taste: Full bodied with silky tannins and medium acidity. The palate is almost pure silk with black cherries, dark red fruits, blackberries, earth tones, leather, and some violets on the back end.
Overall: This is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. This is a wonderful wine that hits all the great things in life.
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Perfectly mature. Very ripe but not overripe. Lean and powerful. Halfway between Hermitage and CdP. Lots of dark dried fruits in the midpalate along with savory tobacco and herbs and a dry, long finish. Paired well with lobster ravioli in vodka sauce. A-
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Decanted and poured, this wine has been tasted a number of times since release and this bottle provides another outstanding showing. This wines seems timeless. This has evolved very little over the years. The wines benefits from decanting with airing bringing out its best attributes. This is probably at or around its peak but should continue to drink well for a number of years.
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This delivers. Decanted ninety minutes. Heavy nose of chocolate mellowing out to something more like...caramel as it decanted; lots of dried flavors plum and fig. A hint of orange or orange peel on the end. Always refreshing to see something that doesn't rely on big fruit. Pair with the right food. Only regret is that it has life left. Feel like we opened early.
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No detailed notes. Really good with raisiny, amarone-like notes, deep dried red fruit, great texture and length. Holding up beautifully and took well to a three hour decant.
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Decanted and poured, this wine showed a variety of aromatics over the course of its consumption. The bouquet at times offers chocolate, espresso, leather and black cherry. It evolves to reveal antique, rose and perfume notes. At other times the wine shows Port like aromatics. All of the aromatic descriptors are nuanced and detailed. The color is a medium to dark tarnished ruby. It is correct for the wine age. The medium bodied palate shows seamless balance and detail. Acidity and subtle tannins on the finish provide structure. This is drinking well now and is at or around its peak.
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Rob’s BDAY John Rebecca and gang – Solid as a rock, timeless and showing almost no signs of age. Deep and dense, loaded with graphite meets bitter chocolate meets espresso. But bone dry, incredible minerality and loads of tight (but nice) chocolate, dark fruits and spice.
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Dinner with Kate, Scott, Brenda and Sonia -- A stunning showing, such a unique and beautiful wine. Absolutely loaded with dried cherry and bitter dark chocolate on the nose. Dusty and herbal notes. Showing a bit of development on the palate, where the dried fruits and chocolates echo. Throw in some cigar ash, graphite and minerality too. Yum!
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Opened for a friend's birthday: he loved it; I merely enjoyed it. I wasn't fond of the superripe ripasso aromatics, which included a whisper of volatile acidity as is common with these wines. The wine was more interesting in the mouth, with nice savory tobacco and mature, leathery flavors providing interest against the backdrop of rich, concentrated fruit. There's pretty good acidity for the style and vintage, but it's a heavy wine that went better with his lamb than with my pasta. I wouldn't turn another glass down, but it's not something I'd buy again at the price. Drink or hold; given the concentration this should continue to improve for at least another 3-4 years.
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BBQ Elvin Julie Cyn and gang -- Awesome tonight with grilled ribs Korean style. More sexy and expressive than the Mascarello, leaning more toward seductive ripe fruit and jazzy spice. Cassis, blueberry, mocha, espresso... yummm
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Suprisingly pale nose with some leathery notes. Slightly roasted and off-putting notes which faded, but never resolved. Leesy and skinsy describe it. Good body and structure and cleaned up on the finish. Notes faded when matched with slow-cooked pork ribs over eggplant.
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This is a terrific example from one of the true geniuses. Tight, black, very pure corvina fruit. Immediately recognizable for grape and winemaker. Very well structured. Long finish. Not much ripasso evident, but clearly a classic Veneto nose and feel. But, oh so structured and pure. Only Quintarelli could have wrought this wine. As fine as Allegrini is , this is at another level. And I am a big fan of Dal Forno, with his lush, extracted, ripasso, evident winees. But this stule of winemaking remains the reference point and it was a great joy to see this at the IGT level. Mut add some to my cellar.
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My first Quintarelli, very old school, brilliant ruby red, delicately perfumed nose of anise, crystallized red fruit and hints of smoke, palate of clean red fruit with enough acidity to last a lifetime, however, even with its sneaky complex finish it somehow lacks the excitement I was anticipating
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This is my second bottle of this wine, and only my second Quintarelli. Although this is by no means a premium bottle for this producer, it easily displays why Quintarelli wines are so unique and worthwhile. The wine is perfectly balanced. It has ripe, rich fruit, along with complex aromas of leather, smoke and spice, yet there is an unmistakable elegance and purity so that despite all the aromas and flavors, the wine is nimble and seems to glide across your palate. It matches and enhances but never overshadows the food (in my case, pheasant, duck). The color is a gorgeous ripe purple-plum color that had me staring at the glass. I understand these age for much longer, but I obviously found it ready to drink now. Well worth seeking out, and offering a toast of good health for Giuseppe Quintarelli.
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My favorite Italian wine at Sams Preferred customer tasting yesterday. 1997 was a top vintage and other than Romano del Forno, the wines of Guiseppe Quintarelli and without an equal in the Veneto. The name Cà del Merlo means house of the blackbird. Qualitatively, it falls between a Valpolicella and an Amarone and the price reflects that (about $70). This wine is the same Corvina blend used in the Valpolicella but a higher percentage of dried grapes are used adding more concentration and richness to the wine. The ripasso winemaking method is also employed with this wine. Ripe red fruit core. Some chocolate and tobacco notes were also present giving this wine a nice deep texture. Medium to full bodied. I like this better than my wife. 91-93 points.
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10/8/2022 - DoubleMagnum Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not much has changed for this bottle in the past seven years. The fruit is still intact and the acid is bright and balancing. It is a big wine that somehow Quintarelli manages to tame and turn into quite an elegant bottle. Outstanding, once again.
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2/10/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drink
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5/7/2017 - Ben F Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened at Commis, Oakland. In a beautiful place right now. Mature dark fruit complicated by earth notes, with harmonious soft tannins and round ripasso richness that is neither overpowering nor sweet. This is why one ages wine.
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2/6/2016 - Le Gaulois Likes this wine: 92 Points
À venir
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11/28/2015 - jerhardt Likes this wine: 91 Points
I would call this fully resolved and mature at this point. Medium bodied, but rich and with some sense of sweetness. Deep flavored with the complexity and flavor profile that is so unique to Quntarelli. I don't see much upside in further aging.
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11/13/2015 - wculpepper Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had no chance to decant. PnP. Notes taken 4 hours after opening. Dark purple opaque color. Flowery strawberry nose. Full-bodied red fruit on the palate with good acids; tannins long gone. Long pleasing aftertaste. Probably should drink remaining bottles over next three years.
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6/10/2015 - Burgfiendnyc Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great nose of plums, black cherries. tobacco, ceder, anise and violets. The tertiary notes were very present and after a decant the wine opened up considerably. The tannins have integrated very well to offer a wine at a great place. Drink up.
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4/6/2015 - KeithAkers wrote: 95 Points
Nose: Gorgeous and layered nose with black cherries, earth tones, tobacco notes, leather, violets, perfumes, licorice, dark red fruits, and some liqueur tones.
Taste: Full bodied with silky tannins and medium acidity. The palate is almost pure silk with black cherries, dark red fruits, blackberries, earth tones, leather, and some violets on the back end.
Overall: This is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. This is a wonderful wine that hits all the great things in life.
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11/23/2014 - DoubleMagnum wrote: 93 Points
Perfectly mature. Very ripe but not overripe. Lean and powerful. Halfway between Hermitage and CdP. Lots of dark dried fruits in the midpalate along with savory tobacco and herbs and a dry, long finish.
Paired well with lobster ravioli in vodka sauce. A-
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10/4/2013 - cardsandwine Likes this wine:
Decanted for 2 hours. Drank well, but beginning to tire a bit. Time to drink up.
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2/24/2013 - jad1964 wrote: 95 Points
an hour of air is all this one needs. great bottle of wine front to back.
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12/23/2011 - sehill Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted and poured, this wine has been tasted a number of times since release and this bottle provides another outstanding showing. This wines seems timeless. This has evolved very little over the years. The wines benefits from decanting with airing bringing out its best attributes. This is probably at or around its peak but should continue to drink well for a number of years.
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7/3/2011 - Jororo wrote: 93 Points
This delivers. Decanted ninety minutes. Heavy nose of chocolate mellowing out to something more like...caramel as it decanted; lots of dried flavors plum and fig. A hint of orange or orange peel on the end. Always refreshing to see something that doesn't rely on big fruit. Pair with the right food. Only regret is that it has life left. Feel like we opened early.
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12/26/2010 - SevenDayMile wrote: 94 Points
No detailed notes. Really good with raisiny, amarone-like notes, deep dried red fruit, great texture and length. Holding up beautifully and took well to a three hour decant.
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10/23/2010 - sehill Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted and poured, this wine showed a variety of aromatics over the course of its consumption. The bouquet at times offers chocolate, espresso, leather and black cherry. It evolves to reveal antique, rose and perfume notes. At other times the wine shows Port like aromatics. All of the aromatic descriptors are nuanced and detailed. The color is a medium to dark tarnished ruby. It is correct for the wine age. The medium bodied palate shows seamless balance and detail. Acidity and subtle tannins on the finish provide structure. This is drinking well now and is at or around its peak.
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6/6/2010 - danstrings wrote: 93 Points
Rob’s BDAY John Rebecca and gang – Solid as a rock, timeless and showing almost no signs of age. Deep and dense, loaded with graphite meets bitter chocolate meets espresso. But bone dry, incredible minerality and loads of tight (but nice) chocolate, dark fruits and spice.
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12/29/2009 - LoireFan wrote: 92 Points
Maybe 93. Excellent and wished I had more.
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9/4/2009 - danstrings wrote: 94 Points
Dinner with Kate, Scott, Brenda and Sonia -- A stunning showing, such a unique and beautiful wine. Absolutely loaded with dried cherry and bitter dark chocolate on the nose. Dusty and herbal notes. Showing a bit of development on the palate, where the dried fruits and chocolates echo. Throw in some cigar ash, graphite and minerality too. Yum!
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7/9/2009 - Ali wrote: 92 Points
Drinking well
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1/26/2009 - LoireFan wrote: 92 Points
Still young and needs 6-12 more years to strut its stuff (94? then).
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10/1/2008 - 5laton wrote: 90 Points
Opened for a friend's birthday: he loved it; I merely enjoyed it. I wasn't fond of the superripe ripasso aromatics, which included a whisper of volatile acidity as is common with these wines. The wine was more interesting in the mouth, with nice savory tobacco and mature, leathery flavors providing interest against the backdrop of rich, concentrated fruit. There's pretty good acidity for the style and vintage, but it's a heavy wine that went better with his lamb than with my pasta. I wouldn't turn another glass down, but it's not something I'd buy again at the price. Drink or hold; given the concentration this should continue to improve for at least another 3-4 years.
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7/27/2008 - danstrings wrote: 93 Points
BBQ Elvin Julie Cyn and gang -- Awesome tonight with grilled ribs Korean style. More sexy and expressive than the Mascarello, leaning more toward seductive ripe fruit and jazzy spice. Cassis, blueberry, mocha, espresso... yummm
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10/21/2007 - Thralow wrote: 93 Points
Genius!
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12/24/2006 - AndrewSGHall wrote:
Suprisingly pale nose with some leathery notes. Slightly roasted and off-putting notes which faded, but never resolved. Leesy and skinsy describe it. Good body and structure and cleaned up on the finish. Notes faded when matched with slow-cooked pork ribs over eggplant.
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10/21/2006 - baroloboy55 wrote: 93 Points
This is a terrific example from one of the true geniuses. Tight, black, very pure corvina fruit. Immediately recognizable for grape and winemaker. Very well structured. Long finish. Not much ripasso evident, but clearly a classic Veneto nose and feel. But, oh so structured and pure. Only Quintarelli could have wrought this wine. As fine as Allegrini is , this is at another level. And I am a big fan of Dal Forno, with his lush, extracted, ripasso, evident winees. But this stule of winemaking remains the reference point and it was a great joy to see this at the IGT level. Mut add some to my cellar.
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9/16/2006 - duchamp wrote: 90 Points
My first Quintarelli, very old school, brilliant ruby red, delicately perfumed nose of anise, crystallized red fruit and hints of smoke, palate of clean red fruit with enough acidity to last a lifetime, however, even with its sneaky complex finish it somehow lacks the excitement I was anticipating
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7/22/2006 - MJHDC wrote:
This is my second bottle of this wine, and only my second Quintarelli. Although this is by no means a premium bottle for this producer, it easily displays why Quintarelli wines are so unique and worthwhile. The wine is perfectly balanced. It has ripe, rich fruit, along with complex aromas of leather, smoke and spice, yet there is an unmistakable elegance and purity so that despite all the aromas and flavors, the wine is nimble and seems to glide across your palate. It matches and enhances but never overshadows the food (in my case, pheasant, duck). The color is a gorgeous ripe purple-plum color that had me staring at the glass. I understand these age for much longer, but I obviously found it ready to drink now. Well worth seeking out, and offering a toast of good health for Giuseppe Quintarelli.
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6/8/2006 - Vino Me wrote: 92 Points
My favorite Italian wine at Sams Preferred customer tasting yesterday. 1997 was a top vintage and other than Romano del Forno, the wines of Guiseppe Quintarelli and without an equal in the Veneto. The name Cà del Merlo means house of the blackbird. Qualitatively, it falls between a Valpolicella and an Amarone and the price reflects that (about $70). This wine is the same Corvina blend used in the Valpolicella but a higher percentage of dried grapes are used adding more concentration and richness to the wine. The ripasso winemaking method is also employed with this wine. Ripe red fruit core. Some chocolate and tobacco notes were also present giving this wine a nice deep texture. Medium to full bodied. I like this better than my wife. 91-93 points.
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1/20/2006 - LoireFan wrote: 93 Points
Come back 8-15 years and try again.
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