2022 Giuseppe Quintarelli, Primofiore, Veneto

Giuseppe Quintarelli is an iconic, ultra-traditional Italian producer. They make the most expensive and sought-after Amarone on the planet, but they also make a handful of other wines and often out of the same grape varieties that they use to make their world-renowned Amarone. Primofiore is a blend of both indigenous Veneto grapes (Corvina and Corvinone – classic Valpolicella grapes) and international varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc). Unlike with Amarone where the grapes are dried out completely before fermentation, only the Cabernet is dried for this wine, resulting a much less concentrated, lower ABV, fresher wine. It’s called Primofiore as it’s the youngest wine to be released from the property each year while the others see extended ageing and up to 7 years for the Amarone before it is released. The ’20 Primofiore was just released this year, and it’s stunning.