Veneto
Veneto, located in north-eastern Italy, is a region renowned for its outstanding fine wines. With a long winemaking history and diverse terroir, Veneto offers a wide range of exceptional wines that captivate wine enthusiasts around the world. The region is home to renowned vineyards and wineries that have gained international recognition for their quality and craftsmanship.
One of the most famous vineyards in Veneto is Allegrini, known for producing Amarone della Valpolicella, a prestigious and robust red wine made from dried grapes. Another prominent vineyard is Tommasi, which specializes in Amarone and Valpolicella wines, showcasing the rich flavors and complexity of the region. Zenato is also notable, producing acclaimed wines such as Amarone and Lugana.
The flagship wine of Veneto is Prosecco, a sparkling wine that has gained tremendous popularity in recent years. The region of Valdobbiadene-Conegliano is the heartland of Prosecco production, with renowned vineyards such as Nino Franco, Bisol, and Ruggeri producing exceptional examples of this lively and refreshing sparkling wine.
Valpolicella, a red wine region within Veneto, is famous for its red wines made primarily from Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes. Wineries like Masi, Tedeschi, and Zeni produce outstanding Valpolicella wines, ranging from the vibrant and fruity Valpolicella Classico to the full-bodied and concentrated Amarone.
Veneto is also known for its sweet wine, Recioto di Soave, made from the Garganega grape. Wineries such as Pieropan and Suavia craft elegant and luscious Recioto di Soave wines that display the region's expertise in producing exquisite dessert wines.
Whether you are exploring the elegant Prosecco, the rich Amarone della Valpolicella, or the luscious Recioto di Soave, Veneto offers a remarkable selection of fine wines that showcase the region's winemaking excellence. With its unique terroir, indigenous grape varieties, and commitment to quality, Veneto continues to enchant wine lovers with its outstanding wine offerings.
Veneto
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(6x75cl) 2019James Suckling (94)
Very ripe Soave here with aromas of dried pineapple, honeycomb, pecan pie, light toffee and a wealth of fresh and dried flowers flitting around the edges. Medium-to full-bodied with a lovely, long palate of fruit syrup and caramel. Seamless, tasty and long. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.Inc. VAT£207.49 -
James Suckling (96)
The only oak-inflected cuvee at the estate. Aged in 100% used tonneaux, both French and Slavonian. Superb aromas of pistachios, peaches and dried mangoes. Broad and expansive, yet funneled into a vortex of tension by freshness that sublimates any sense of obvious power. A wonderful expression of a warmer vintage that suits perfectly this compelling site. Drink or hold.Inc. VAT£212.29 -
(12x75cl) 2020Inc. VAT£343.61 -
Vinous (94)
The 2019 Soave Classico Monte Grande lifts from the glass to show kiwi and crushed stone, along with pretty honeyed florals, in an airy and wonderfully fresh display. It’s intense and sharply focused, also quite mineral in style with orange zests and is salty to the core. This tapers off long, with residual acids keeping the mouth watering. It’s a classic in the making. Monte Grande is a blend of 70% Garganega and 30% Trebbiano di Soave, which is left to dry on the vines for an extra month after the first harvest.Inc. VAT£189.49 -
(6x150cl) 2001Vinous (96+)
White truffles, mocha, spices, incense, grilled herbs, plums and black cherries are some of the many notes that burst from the glass in the 2001 Alzero. Firm tannins provide the backbone for this striking, beautifully delineated wine. Unlike the 1997 or 2000, the 2001 is an Alzero that doesn’t give up its charms too easily, instead it is a wine clearly built for the cellar. Readers will have to be patient, but those who can find the 2001 should not hesitate, as it is magnificent. Sweet floral and spiced notes resonate on the vibrant, textured finish. Alzero is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It remains one of the truly unique wines not just of Italy, but of the world.Inc. VAT£6,178.01 -
Vinous (96+)
White truffles, mocha, spices, incense, grilled herbs, plums and black cherries are some of the many notes that burst from the glass in the 2001 Alzero. Firm tannins provide the backbone for this striking, beautifully delineated wine. Unlike the 1997 or 2000, the 2001 is an Alzero that doesn’t give up its charms too easily, instead it is a wine clearly built for the cellar. Readers will have to be patient, but those who can find the 2001 should not hesitate, as it is magnificent. Sweet floral and spiced notes resonate on the vibrant, textured finish. Alzero is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It remains one of the truly unique wines not just of Italy, but of the world.Inc. VAT£2,897.60 -
Vinous (94)
The 2005 Alzero is all about finesse. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet red berries are laced together in a finessed, racy Alzero loaded with class. Because of its mid-weight structure, the 2005 should drink well relatively early, although it will always have the bright, refreshing acidity of the cool vintage. The mid-weight structure makes the 2005 accessible today. Quintarelli fans should note that there will be no Amarone in 2005, only Rosso del Bepi. The 2005 is approximately 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot.Inc. VAT£2,319.49 -
(1x150cl) 2009Vinous (96)
The 2009 Alzero Cabernet is a knockout, showing a captivating display of sour cherries, licorice and mint offset by mocha and hints of tobacco. This is elegance personified, as a velvety wave of sweet red and black fruits is further complemented by confectionary spices and contrasting notes of espresso and cacao. There is so much energy to be found within the 2009. It bristles with residual acids, minerals and sour citrus through the finale, while still showing a gorgeous inner sweetness through a note of ripe plums under an air of violets and lavender. This is so easy to like today that it’s hard to recommend waiting. However, there’s much more to be seen over time, and patience will be rewarded. The Alzero Cabernet is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot dried prior to vinification through appassimento.Inc. VAT£799.90 -
(1x150cl) 2012Wine Advocate (96)
The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2012 Cabernet Alzero (packaged in a heavy glass bottle) is a stunning wine that delivers a level of cautious brawn, intensity and fruit weight that sets this wine apart within the portfolio. The blend is 40% Cabernet Franc, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, and the grapes all undergo a few months of appassimento. I've been asked about possible perception of VA (volatile acidity) that can sometimes appear in wines made with air-dried fruit. As a much-respected Italian colleague once told me, "serve a dare spalla," ("it gives a shoulder to the wine"), and I can't help but admire the beautifully lifted and upright quality of the bouquet that appears especially radiant and buoyant in this wine. The magic, whatever it is, works.Inc. VAT£848.46 -
(6x75cl) 2013Inc. VAT£2,025.79 -
Inc. VAT£1,949.69 -
Inc. VAT£1,797.29 -
(1x150cl) 2016Inc. VAT£726.49 -
(1x75cl) 2011Vinous (96)
The 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is spellbinding, showing the power and richness of the vintage with a display of crushed plums and cherry sauce, further complemented by sweet exotic spices. Notes of lavender, milk chocolate and a hint of espresso bean come forward over time. This is pure elegance and class, with velvety textures over a full-bodied frame, yet maintaining perfect balance, giving way to a staining of floral-laced red and blue fruit that can be both tasted and felt as they saturate the senses. A coating of dusty fine tannin settles in, reminding you of just how youthful this is today, but the endnote is freshness. Today, the 2011 can be enjoyed for its primary intensity, but the best is truly yet to come.Inc. VAT£493.84 -
Vinous (94)
It’s rare that you take in the aromas of an Amarone and the first thing that comes to mind is how wonderfully fresh and perfumed it is, but that’s exactly what you’ll experience from the 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico from Quintarelli. Sour cherries are complicated by notes of rose, sweet spice and hints of cedar and mint. It’s deeply textural yet precise, with a polished and pure display of purple-tinged red fruit contrasted by zesty acids and a slight herbal twang. Remarkably feminine and undeniably elegant, with a slow-mounting structure that sneaks up on you through the finale. This gentle giant tapers off long and floral, only hinting at the depths that further cellaring will bring.Inc. VAT£2,216.09 -
Vinous - Eric Guido (96+)
A total seductress, the 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a dark beauty. It opens with a dusty bouquet of dried flowers and masses of cherry sauce, offset by spiced orange and nuances of violet pastille. It sweeps across the palate, a model of purity, with crisp wild berry fruits energized by tantalizing acidity and shavings of dark chocolate. Crunchy mineral tones emerge toward the close. The 2017 lingers impossibly long yet remains completely fresh. Grippy tannins remain as hints of dried blueberry and lavender resonate throughout. The Quintarelli winery has been working hard to perfect a style that mixes the magic of older vintages with a new level of freshness, and the 2017 is a big step in the right direction. Bravo.Inc. VAT£1,992.89 -
(6x75cl) 2007Wine Advocate (97)
The previous vintages of the wine immediately preceding this one are 2003 and 2000. Jump forward in time, and the 2007 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva will linger on the market for a while because the estate has not yet decided which vintage will be next, but as a rule of thumb, the Riserva is only made two or maybe three times per decade. Only 5,838 bottles of this wine were produced. I'm told that the 2015, 2016 and 2017 vintages are all very strong contenders for Riserva status. In any case, this is the last Riserva to be made in Giuseppe Quintarelli's lifetime (he passed away in 2012). One of the criteria that makes a Riserva is the appassimento process that is extended by a couple of months here. This wine boasts 17% alcohol, and that enormous inner power is ultimately what drives this wine. That motor is enhanced by rich fullness, dense texture and beautifully balanced aromas of dried fruit, exotic spice, cigar box and moist potting soil. The quality of the aromas is absolutely clear and pristine, and the tannins have been softened into absolutely silkiness.Inc. VAT£3,794.16 -
(2x75cl) 2009Inc. VAT£2,291.84 -
Vinous (98)
The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva is classic Quintarelli to the core, with a vibrant cascade of exotic spices, dried flowers, citrus peels and fresh crushed cherries forming its seductive bouquet. Juicy in feel yet deep and complex, it sweeps across the palate with ripe wildberry fruits elevated by a whiplash of electric acidity as violet inner florals arc across the senses. Long and staining but also impossibly fresh, the 2015 leaves a web of fine-grained tannins as hints of plum skin and licorice slowly fade. This is a rockstar.Inc. VAT£3,635.69 -
(1x150cl) 2021Inc. VAT£195.29 -
Vinous (93)
The 2023 Bianco Secco is a model of purity with its bouquet of dusty florals, cracked slate, lime zest and green melon. It opens with a balanced inner sweetness offset by a sour citrus tinge as tart green apple enhances its tension. A salty flourish punctuates the experience as hints of young kiwi mix with apricot through the long and wonderfully fresh finish. This is a refined and captivating vintage of Bianco Secco, a wine that continues to punch well above its class.Inc. VAT£303.86 -
Inc. VAT£329.15 -
Inc. VAT£660.53 -
Inc. VAT£466.40 -
Inc. VAT£548.00 -
Vinous (89)
The 2010 Rosso del Bepi has a savory, exotic and almost animalistic personality that keeps you coming back to the glass, as a dusting of confectioner’s sugar gives way to wild strawberry, spiced citrus, sour apple and hints of flowery undergrowth. Its textures are soft, offset by salty minerals, a hint of bitter coffee and a tart display of red and black fruits. This tapers off a bit short and struggles to find balance, with a slight green streak running through its lingering note of cherry pits and savory spice. Because of heavy rains, Quintarelli decided to declassify their Amarone and produce this rendition of Rosso del Bepi instead.Inc. VAT£1,076.26 -
(1x150cl) 2015Inc. VAT£332.89 -
(6x75cl) 2015Inc. VAT£627.89 -
Fine wine enthusiasts will find a delightful discovery in the Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore 2016. Masterfully crafted from the indigenous Veneto grapes, this exquisite offering hails from the celebrated vineyards of Northern Italy, renowned for their terroir. The winemakers, Roccolo Grassi, are applauded for their superior craftsmanship and meticulous standards. The Valpolicella Superiore 2016 encapsulates their unwavering dedication to quality.
The Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore 2016 is a bold, full-bodied wine with distinct layers of complexity. On the nose, it boasts invigorating bouquets of fresh red fruit, almonds and a hint of spice. On the palate, this fine wine unveils pronounced notes of cherry and plum, intertwined with captivating tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is long and graciously persistent.
Each bottle of Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore 2016 exudes sophistication, capturing the essence of the producer's masterful artistry. A superb embodiment of Italian viticulture, it truly deserves a place in any distinguished wine collection.
Inc. VAT£215.60 -
Decanter (99)
The blend for this wine, whose fruit is dried for three months, is 55 per cent Corvina, 15 per cent Rondinella, 20 per cent Croatina and 10 per cent Oseleta; all the vines are at least 10 years old. A black wine, and a velvet nosebox: pressed black fruits, seeping with fruit essences; smoke and cinders; herbal complexities; teasing floral notes, too, to lighten the tone a little. The alcohol level on the label might lead you to expect a gobstopper – so you’ll be taken aback by the fine-milled elegance of this wine, by its disposition and organization, by its fleet-footed elegance and freshness, even though its concentration, power and textural presence make it a wine of absolute authority. There isn’t a trace of superfluous fat in the mid-palate – though it’s tongue-coating, head-turning, inspiring: a gathering of sumptuous fruited energies. “It’s very difficult to for my father to feel happy about any of his wines; he’s very critical,” said Michele. “But with this vintage, he didn’t have anything to say.”Inc. VAT£556.57
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(6x75cl) 2019James Suckling (94)
Very ripe Soave here with aromas of dried pineapple, honeycomb, pecan pie, light toffee and a wealth of fresh and dried flowers flitting around the edges. Medium-to full-bodied with a lovely, long palate of fruit syrup and caramel. Seamless, tasty and long. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.In Bond£155.00 -
James Suckling (96)
The only oak-inflected cuvee at the estate. Aged in 100% used tonneaux, both French and Slavonian. Superb aromas of pistachios, peaches and dried mangoes. Broad and expansive, yet funneled into a vortex of tension by freshness that sublimates any sense of obvious power. A wonderful expression of a warmer vintage that suits perfectly this compelling site. Drink or hold.In Bond£159.00 -
(12x75cl) 2020In Bond£245.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2019 Soave Classico Monte Grande lifts from the glass to show kiwi and crushed stone, along with pretty honeyed florals, in an airy and wonderfully fresh display. It’s intense and sharply focused, also quite mineral in style with orange zests and is salty to the core. This tapers off long, with residual acids keeping the mouth watering. It’s a classic in the making. Monte Grande is a blend of 70% Garganega and 30% Trebbiano di Soave, which is left to dry on the vines for an extra month after the first harvest.In Bond£140.00 -
(6x150cl) 2001Vinous (96+)
White truffles, mocha, spices, incense, grilled herbs, plums and black cherries are some of the many notes that burst from the glass in the 2001 Alzero. Firm tannins provide the backbone for this striking, beautifully delineated wine. Unlike the 1997 or 2000, the 2001 is an Alzero that doesn’t give up its charms too easily, instead it is a wine clearly built for the cellar. Readers will have to be patient, but those who can find the 2001 should not hesitate, as it is magnificent. Sweet floral and spiced notes resonate on the vibrant, textured finish. Alzero is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It remains one of the truly unique wines not just of Italy, but of the world.In Bond£5,107.00 -
Vinous (96+)
White truffles, mocha, spices, incense, grilled herbs, plums and black cherries are some of the many notes that burst from the glass in the 2001 Alzero. Firm tannins provide the backbone for this striking, beautifully delineated wine. Unlike the 1997 or 2000, the 2001 is an Alzero that doesn’t give up its charms too easily, instead it is a wine clearly built for the cellar. Readers will have to be patient, but those who can find the 2001 should not hesitate, as it is magnificent. Sweet floral and spiced notes resonate on the vibrant, textured finish. Alzero is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It remains one of the truly unique wines not just of Italy, but of the world.In Bond£2,394.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2005 Alzero is all about finesse. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet red berries are laced together in a finessed, racy Alzero loaded with class. Because of its mid-weight structure, the 2005 should drink well relatively early, although it will always have the bright, refreshing acidity of the cool vintage. The mid-weight structure makes the 2005 accessible today. Quintarelli fans should note that there will be no Amarone in 2005, only Rosso del Bepi. The 2005 is approximately 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot.In Bond£1,915.00 -
(1x150cl) 2009Vinous (96)
The 2009 Alzero Cabernet is a knockout, showing a captivating display of sour cherries, licorice and mint offset by mocha and hints of tobacco. This is elegance personified, as a velvety wave of sweet red and black fruits is further complemented by confectionary spices and contrasting notes of espresso and cacao. There is so much energy to be found within the 2009. It bristles with residual acids, minerals and sour citrus through the finale, while still showing a gorgeous inner sweetness through a note of ripe plums under an air of violets and lavender. This is so easy to like today that it’s hard to recommend waiting. However, there’s much more to be seen over time, and patience will be rewarded. The Alzero Cabernet is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot dried prior to vinification through appassimento.In Bond£659.00 -
(1x150cl) 2012Wine Advocate (96)
The Quintarelli Giuseppe 2012 Cabernet Alzero (packaged in a heavy glass bottle) is a stunning wine that delivers a level of cautious brawn, intensity and fruit weight that sets this wine apart within the portfolio. The blend is 40% Cabernet Franc, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, and the grapes all undergo a few months of appassimento. I've been asked about possible perception of VA (volatile acidity) that can sometimes appear in wines made with air-dried fruit. As a much-respected Italian colleague once told me, "serve a dare spalla," ("it gives a shoulder to the wine"), and I can't help but admire the beautifully lifted and upright quality of the bouquet that appears especially radiant and buoyant in this wine. The magic, whatever it is, works.In Bond£700.00 -
(6x75cl) 2013In Bond£1,667.00 -
In Bond£1,602.00 -
In Bond£1,475.00 -
(1x150cl) 2016In Bond£599.00 -
(1x75cl) 2011Vinous (96)
The 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is spellbinding, showing the power and richness of the vintage with a display of crushed plums and cherry sauce, further complemented by sweet exotic spices. Notes of lavender, milk chocolate and a hint of espresso bean come forward over time. This is pure elegance and class, with velvety textures over a full-bodied frame, yet maintaining perfect balance, giving way to a staining of floral-laced red and blue fruit that can be both tasted and felt as they saturate the senses. A coating of dusty fine tannin settles in, reminding you of just how youthful this is today, but the endnote is freshness. Today, the 2011 can be enjoyed for its primary intensity, but the best is truly yet to come.In Bond£408.00 -
Vinous (94)
It’s rare that you take in the aromas of an Amarone and the first thing that comes to mind is how wonderfully fresh and perfumed it is, but that’s exactly what you’ll experience from the 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico from Quintarelli. Sour cherries are complicated by notes of rose, sweet spice and hints of cedar and mint. It’s deeply textural yet precise, with a polished and pure display of purple-tinged red fruit contrasted by zesty acids and a slight herbal twang. Remarkably feminine and undeniably elegant, with a slow-mounting structure that sneaks up on you through the finale. This gentle giant tapers off long and floral, only hinting at the depths that further cellaring will bring.In Bond£1,824.00 -
Vinous - Eric Guido (96+)
A total seductress, the 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a dark beauty. It opens with a dusty bouquet of dried flowers and masses of cherry sauce, offset by spiced orange and nuances of violet pastille. It sweeps across the palate, a model of purity, with crisp wild berry fruits energized by tantalizing acidity and shavings of dark chocolate. Crunchy mineral tones emerge toward the close. The 2017 lingers impossibly long yet remains completely fresh. Grippy tannins remain as hints of dried blueberry and lavender resonate throughout. The Quintarelli winery has been working hard to perfect a style that mixes the magic of older vintages with a new level of freshness, and the 2017 is a big step in the right direction. Bravo.In Bond£1,638.00 -
(6x75cl) 2007Wine Advocate (97)
The previous vintages of the wine immediately preceding this one are 2003 and 2000. Jump forward in time, and the 2007 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva will linger on the market for a while because the estate has not yet decided which vintage will be next, but as a rule of thumb, the Riserva is only made two or maybe three times per decade. Only 5,838 bottles of this wine were produced. I'm told that the 2015, 2016 and 2017 vintages are all very strong contenders for Riserva status. In any case, this is the last Riserva to be made in Giuseppe Quintarelli's lifetime (he passed away in 2012). One of the criteria that makes a Riserva is the appassimento process that is extended by a couple of months here. This wine boasts 17% alcohol, and that enormous inner power is ultimately what drives this wine. That motor is enhanced by rich fullness, dense texture and beautifully balanced aromas of dried fruit, exotic spice, cigar box and moist potting soil. The quality of the aromas is absolutely clear and pristine, and the tannins have been softened into absolutely silkiness.In Bond£3,140.00 -
(2x75cl) 2009In Bond£1,902.06 -
Vinous (98)
The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva is classic Quintarelli to the core, with a vibrant cascade of exotic spices, dried flowers, citrus peels and fresh crushed cherries forming its seductive bouquet. Juicy in feel yet deep and complex, it sweeps across the palate with ripe wildberry fruits elevated by a whiplash of electric acidity as violet inner florals arc across the senses. Long and staining but also impossibly fresh, the 2015 leaves a web of fine-grained tannins as hints of plum skin and licorice slowly fade. This is a rockstar.In Bond£3,007.00 -
(1x150cl) 2021In Bond£157.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2023 Bianco Secco is a model of purity with its bouquet of dusty florals, cracked slate, lime zest and green melon. It opens with a balanced inner sweetness offset by a sour citrus tinge as tart green apple enhances its tension. A salty flourish punctuates the experience as hints of young kiwi mix with apricot through the long and wonderfully fresh finish. This is a refined and captivating vintage of Bianco Secco, a wine that continues to punch well above its class.In Bond£236.00 -
In Bond£255.00 -
Inc. VAT£656.40 -
In Bond£368.00 -
In Bond£436.00 -
Vinous (89)
The 2010 Rosso del Bepi has a savory, exotic and almost animalistic personality that keeps you coming back to the glass, as a dusting of confectioner’s sugar gives way to wild strawberry, spiced citrus, sour apple and hints of flowery undergrowth. Its textures are soft, offset by salty minerals, a hint of bitter coffee and a tart display of red and black fruits. This tapers off a bit short and struggles to find balance, with a slight green streak running through its lingering note of cherry pits and savory spice. Because of heavy rains, Quintarelli decided to declassify their Amarone and produce this rendition of Rosso del Bepi instead.In Bond£877.00 -
(1x150cl) 2015In Bond£271.00 -
(6x75cl) 2015In Bond£504.00 -
Fine wine enthusiasts will find a delightful discovery in the Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore 2016. Masterfully crafted from the indigenous Veneto grapes, this exquisite offering hails from the celebrated vineyards of Northern Italy, renowned for their terroir. The winemakers, Roccolo Grassi, are applauded for their superior craftsmanship and meticulous standards. The Valpolicella Superiore 2016 encapsulates their unwavering dedication to quality.
The Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore 2016 is a bold, full-bodied wine with distinct layers of complexity. On the nose, it boasts invigorating bouquets of fresh red fruit, almonds and a hint of spice. On the palate, this fine wine unveils pronounced notes of cherry and plum, intertwined with captivating tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is long and graciously persistent.
Each bottle of Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore 2016 exudes sophistication, capturing the essence of the producer's masterful artistry. A superb embodiment of Italian viticulture, it truly deserves a place in any distinguished wine collection.
In Bond£159.00 -
Decanter (99)
The blend for this wine, whose fruit is dried for three months, is 55 per cent Corvina, 15 per cent Rondinella, 20 per cent Croatina and 10 per cent Oseleta; all the vines are at least 10 years old. A black wine, and a velvet nosebox: pressed black fruits, seeping with fruit essences; smoke and cinders; herbal complexities; teasing floral notes, too, to lighten the tone a little. The alcohol level on the label might lead you to expect a gobstopper – so you’ll be taken aback by the fine-milled elegance of this wine, by its disposition and organization, by its fleet-footed elegance and freshness, even though its concentration, power and textural presence make it a wine of absolute authority. There isn’t a trace of superfluous fat in the mid-palate – though it’s tongue-coating, head-turning, inspiring: a gathering of sumptuous fruited energies. “It’s very difficult to for my father to feel happy about any of his wines; he’s very critical,” said Michele. “But with this vintage, he didn’t have anything to say.”In Bond£456.00

