Quintarelli Alzero Cabernet Veneto 2009

96 points Eric Guido (Vinous): "The 2009 Alzero Cabernet is a knockout, showing a captivating display of sour cherries, licorice and mint offset by mocha and hints of tobacco. This is elegance personified, as a velvety wave of sweet red and black fruits is further complemented by confectionary spices and contrasting notes of espresso and cacao. There is so much energy to be found within the 2009. It bristles with residual acids, minerals and sour citrus through the finale, while still showing a gorgeous inner sweetness through a note of ripe plums under an air of violets and lavender. This is so easy to like today that it’s hard to recommend waiting. However, there’s much more to be seen over time, and patience will be rewarded. The Alzero Cabernet is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot dried prior to vinification through appassimento. Drink: 2022-2034. (Feb 2021)"

Alzero is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Merlot made in the Amarone style. After careful selection during harvest at the end of August and beginning of September, the grapes (picked before most of the others) sit in wooden boxes or on rush mats. Dried grapes are pressed in mid-December, and after 20 days of maceration, alcoholic fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts, lasting approximately 50 days. The wine is then aged in French barrels for two or three years and racked into Slavonian oak barrels for four more years. During this aging process, additional alcoholic fermentations take place. Vintage after vintage, the Alzero remains one of the most unique wines in Italy.