At a glance

Producer

Quintarelli Giuseppe

Region

Veneto, Italy

Grape variety

Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella (with other permitted indigenous varieties, traditional blend)

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Off-Dry

Typical price

$140-$200 USD (750ml; typical global retail range as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Complex bouquet of dried red cherry, plum, fig, pipe tobacco, balsamic herbs, wild flowers, fresh leather, spice box, and subtle cocoa. Palate is layered with ripe, dried cherry and redcurrant, earth, mineral, and hints of Mediterranean herbs. Finish is persistent, lifted by tangy acidity.

Evolution: Primary red fruits and floral notes morph into dried fruit, sweet spice, cedar, and forest floor. Balanced structure allows development of savory, umami depth while retaining vibrancy.

At peak: Among Italy’s most ageworthy Valpolicellas: further tertiary notes (truffle, old leather, tobacco) emerge with time, yet fruit core and energy remain striking, reflecting the artisanal élevage.

Structure

Acidity

High (signature freshness for longevity)

Tannins

Medium, velvety yet persistent

Alcohol

Typically 15-15.5% ABV

Aging potential

High for Valpolicella; exceptional due to concentration, structure, and house style. 18-25 years post-vintage is realistic.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2018 to 2020

Optimal window

2015 to 2020

Current status

Excellent maturity, fully developed

Current condition

This 2008 Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore is in an outstanding drinking window (16 years after vintage). Bottles from careful cellaring show evolved tertiary character alongside Quintarelli’s trademark freshness. Peak phase is ongoing, with potential for graceful evolution through 2032 or longer.

Quintarelli Giuseppe’s signature style allows the Valpolicella Classico Superiore to far outperform the region’s usual aging curve. The 2008, from a cool, classically-styled vintage in the Veneto, matured in large Slavonian oak for extended periods, displays outstanding harmony now, with complexity and structure to age gracefully at least 8-10 more years. Unlike most Valpolicella, Quintarelli’s version offers remarkable secondary and tertiary complexity—a product of meticulous selection, partial ripasso method, and long élevage. This wine consistently shows its best 12-20 years from vintage, and remains vital well beyond.

Food pairing

Best with braised or roasted meats (lamb shoulder, veal shank, duck), wild mushroom risotto, aged hard cheeses (Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano), or Veneto specialties like pastissada de caval. Traditional Italian dishes with umami and herb character (osso buco, polenta) are classic partners.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To fully unlock complexity, resolve sediment, and revive aromatics in this mature yet robust wine.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Manual harvest, natural cover crops, low-input viticulture, minimal chemical use, indigenous yeast fermentation, gravity-flow winery operations. Limited technological intervention. Minimal filtration and gentle handling.

Quintarelli Giuseppe employs traditional, mostly organic (though not certified) viticulture and artisanal methods with exceptional respect for the land. No irrigation is used, and chemical inputs are minimized, but there are no formal certifications on bottle. Estate is known for patience, craftsmanship, and manual processes; modern sustainability initiatives (solar, recycled packaging, etc.) are not promoted as of 2024. The global prestige and export footprint result in a moderate carbon impact per bottle. Overall, the producer is above average for environmental stewardship by local tradition, but does not reach the highest ranks of formal sustainability practice or carbon minimization.