1 | Wine | Page 372

"Cassis, blueberry, graphite and floral notes, good acidity, stunning concentration and purity, and a long finish." 95-97 pts, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Attractive aromas of dark berry, red berry, red and black licorice make way to flavors of huckleberry, dried cherry, anise and roasted coffee. Integrated with ripe and nutty tannins, it's cedary oak and cigar box notes leave you with a plush and silky lingering finish."

"The dark ruby/purple-hued 2008 reveals an angular, austere personality along with medium to full-bodied, deep, concentrated fruit. An unusually backward and highly tannic 2008, it will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring and should keep for 20 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Sweet ginger spice on the nose. Ripe apple and spice flavors show good intensity and cut but are dulled by a faintly resiny character, no doubt from oak. Finishes with a touch of dryness. I wanted a bit more fruit." -Stephen Tanzer

"Redcurrant, cherry and ripe herbs on the nose, complicated by subtle soil tones. Sweet, silky, pliant and fairly full; this really spreads out to coat the plate. A very horizontal style of wine, and nicely filled in from the start. Finishes broad, ripe and classically dry, with very good persistence and a medicinal reserve." 90-93 pts, reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"The 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella is one of the most monumental young wines I have ever tasted. This is an especially silky, elegant Amarone from Dal Forno that avoids the heaviness of some previous vintages. Blackberry jam, crushed rocks, minerals, violets, new leather and bittersweet chocolate are some of the nuances that emerge over time. This is every bit as majestic as it was every time I tasted it from barrel over the last few years. The silky, exceptionally polished tannins make the 2004 approachable today, but the wine will be even better in a few years."

"The 2007 looks to be one of Quintessa's stronger efforts in a number of years. Dark ruby/purple, with sweet black currant, cherry, and loamy soil notes intermixed with some subtle spice box and background oak, this wine is rich and medium to full-bodied, with round, silky tannins, and an attractive set of aromatics." Reviewed by Robert Parker.