1991 Giuseppe Quintarelli Cabernet Franc Alzero

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 95.8 points

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  12/25/2018 - VlgJeff Likes this wine: 99 Points

  Do not fool yourself that this is wine. It is ambrosia from the gods -- or at least from one of them. This is Bepi's version of a "Bordeaux Amarone" and it is spectacular!
  The carefully selected harvested grapes (40% Cabernet Franc + 40 % Cabernet Sauvignon + 20% Merlot, plus or minus) are left to dry in wooden boxes or on rush mats, for 3 to 3 1/2 months. Then the grapes are macerated for 20 days, after which fermentation begins, with indigenous yeasts, and lasts for 50 days. The result is like no other libation -- alcoholic or otherwise.
  We pulled the cork, which was perfect, and let the wine slo-ox for one hour. The aromas that greeted us included: dark red cherry, touches of smoke and cedar, and the "raisinated" elements of a very good amarone. All of these elements followed on to the medium plus palate, with the addition of beautifully balanced acidity, and one of the longest, smoothest, finishes that we've experienced. In addition, there is an element of fruity "sweetness" to this wine. Hopefully, a well cared for bottle can hold for another 5 to 10 years. This is the highest rating that I have given to any wine reviewed in CellarTracker, and it deserves every single point! Merry Christmas everyone.

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  7/5/2015 - phil the agony wrote: 95 Points

  Mon seul Alzero que j'ai en cellier (pas de cave encore mais je crois que je suis sur la bonne voie).
  Bû le 1991 au printemps et il n'était pas aussi beau que celui-ci.
  Ouvert dans l'après midi et carafé 2 heures.Le bouchon est clean comme un enfant qui sort de la piscine publique.Aucun dépôt ou presque.
  À l'aveugle tu peux caller Quintarelli for sure...on est pas avec du Rougeard comme Cabernet Franc !!
  La robe est quand même tuilé mais elle te faire bien ma belle !
  Un petit goût sucré et velouté qui me fait sourire de toute mes dents qui sont un peu rouges/mauves.
  Du raisin sec meilleur que dans mes collations de jeunesses (les ptites boites rouges Sun Maid)
  L'alcool n'est pas très présente et il y a une de ses longueurs !!!
  95 pts et ma plus belle bouteille d'Alzéro bu à présent.
  Il me reste 2 Valpo que je vais garder pour l'hiver.

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  7/5/2015 - jarjarbinx99 Likes this wine: 95 Points

  Bien meilleure expérience que la première fois. Ces vins ovnis ont besoin d'être apprécié pour ce qu'ils sont et non pas en comparaison. Excellement malgré un millésime difficile. 95 pts.

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  1/28/2015 - Old Vino wrote: flawed

  Corked. Sad evening!

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  11/6/2009 - canan wrote: 96 Points

  Very nice nose with a little sweet varnish, banana and perhaps a hint of VA. Still the nose presents itself very complex and there is a lot of thing going on!!
  The palate still has a full body with a very fruit sweet plum to it. The fruit is almost a little overripe. Some sweet varnish, pine is also coming through together with a lot of complex spicy flavours. The tannins are still quite harsh and the acidity is also very potent and leaves an impression of a wine that can easily improve over the next 10 years.
  With additional time in the glass it improves a lot and it still seems very young!
  An impressive wine in a very challenging vintage..
  Amazing stuff!

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