1 | Wine | Page 373

"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 2011 Artaruzi Garnacha has a light, crisp nose of crushed strawberry, raspberry and dried rose petals that unfurls nicely with aeration. The palate offers crisp and crunchy cranberry and red currant fruit with zesty acidity towards the terse, slightly brittle, chalky finish."

"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.

"This exotic red boasts notes of black truffles, roasted meats, charcuterie, incense, blackberries and black cherry liqueur intermixed with hints of roasted herbs and licorice. Full-bodied, dense and as concentrated as the estate’s extraordinary 2007, the spectacular 2010 needs 2-4 years of cellaring, and will age gracefully over the following two decades." -Robert Parker