2004 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
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Tasting notes
Here's a beautiful blast from the past. The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is drinking beautifully right now, and you should be eyeing this bottle if you are lucky enough to have it in your cellar. I had been safekeeping one bottle in my underground Roman cave, and this review is based on it. This wine shows a very polished and precise personality with integrated tannins and a smooth mouthfeel that renders a soft entry (despite the oversize 17% alcohol content). Fresh acidity adds zest and energy. The bouquet is layered with dried cherry fruit, raspberry and hints of apple skins that give the wine vertical lift and reinforced aromatic intensity. I recommend a double decant to air it out, although the wine is without sediment. Its color is vibrant and saturated.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2004 Amarone is a powerhouse. Over the last year, the 2004 has completely shut down, so readers will have to be patient. The silkiness and allure the 2004 showed when it was first bottled is there, but the fruit is presently hiding beneath a wall of imposing structure. Dried flowers, lavender, sweet tobacco and cedar are some of the notes that add complexity on the finish.
The 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is insanely beautiful. A dark, mysterious beauty, the 2004 hits the palate with masses of black fruit, tobacco, smoke, licorice and incense. The 2004 is constantly changing in the glass, as it reveals layer after layer of flavor and pure nuance. Readers will have to be patient with the 2004, but it is spectacular. I tasted the 2004 just after bottling, and will not be surprised if it is even better with more time in bottle. The huge, voluptuous finish bodes well for the future. Readers who can find the 2004 should not hesitate. This is another magical 2004 from Quintarelli.
The 2004 Amarone is a powerhouse. Over the last year, the 2004 has completely shut down, so readers will have to be patient. The silkiness and allure the 2004 showed when it was first bottled is there, but the fruit is presently hiding beneath a wall of imposing structure. Dried flowers, lavender, sweet tobacco and cedar are some of the notes that add complexity on the finish. Jul 2015, www.vinous.com, Drink: 2019-2034