Quintarelli, Primofiore, Veneto, Italy, 750ml

Earthy, energetic, and velvety, the ’15 Primofiore bursts from the glass in a shower of juicy cherries and berries, fresh loam, warm baking spices, violet petals, and touches of jam, chocolate and herbs. Silky tannins cling to the cheeks, while a sweet inner perfume finds its match in savoury elements; a lingering, delicious finish completes the drinking experience. Primofiore is a blend of Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc that come from a 27-acre limestone and basalt vineyard of thirty-year-old vines, and the estate partially dries its Cabernet grapes for added intensity and texture. Primofiore, or “first press,” gets the runoff juice from the estate’s Amarone, which adds depth and layers of flavour.