Quintarelli Primofiore 2012

Quintarelli’s entry level wine (if you can call it that) and includes 50% Corvina, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc. A portion of free run Amarone juice, but minimal dried grapes in the blend otherwise.

The key thing working against this red is time. Everything else Quintarelli is released with considerable ageing and this feels desperately in need of more Interestingly you can really taste the Cabernet in this, the hint of hedgerow on the nose and the mocha dark berry fruit stamping its presence on the palate. This has lovely richness but there is a sweet and sour edge; that balance isn’t quite nailed. Almost a transitional phase as it works out whether to be an appassimento wine or a Valpol. Good, but not the lofty heights of complexity and flavour that mark the label Quintarelli label. Best drinking: 2020-2030. 17.5/20, 91/100+.
14%, circa €30. Would I buy it? I’d save up my pennies and buy the Valpolicella next time.