I am impressed with the richness of plum and lemon rind character on the nose and palate and full and rich silky tannins. Yet it is so refined and reserved with layers and layers of fruit. This is fascinating. Very reserved style for Quintarelli. (4/2011)

The 2000 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a thing of beauty. This mid-weight, delicate red offers up a gorgeous array of crushed flowers, red berries and sweet spices in an ethereal style. As it sits in the glass the wine acquires concentration and richness. The wine possesses the grace of a ballerina, phenomenal balance and impeccable pedigree. In this vintage the Amarone shows suggestions of slightly newer barrels, and that may be why this is the first non-Riserva Amarone I can recall in at least a few years that doesn’t show the excess volatile acidity that has marred some previous wines. To be sure, this is a super-traditional, cask-aged Amarone, and it may not appeal to all palates, but readers in search of fine old-school Amarone won’t find a better wine among this year’s new releases. In time this score may very well go up...quite a bit. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. (AG) 96+ (10/2009)