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Wines For Every Occasion
12 21 2008
2006 Quintarelli Ca' del Merlo Bianco Secco ($106/magnum, Biondivino) Amarone lovers speak the name Giuseppe Quintarelli in reverent tones. Almost unknown, though, are his white wines, including the Ca' del Merlo, based on the Garganega grape of that other Veneto wine, Soave. But get Soave out of your head - Quintarelli's reputation for power and complexity also extends to his whites. The large bottle not only commends aging time in the cellar, but makes a rare find even more special. 2004 Oddero Barolo ($44, Biondivino) This was an astonishing year for Barolo. It was neither tawdry nor austere; its stately wines found just the right mix of feisty tannins and warm ripeness. This historic estate's blended bottling, from the communes of La Morra and Castiglione Falletto, is the perfect way to access a standout year without emptying your wallet or waiting a decade for the wine to soften.
12 21 2008
2006 Quintarelli Ca' del Merlo Bianco Secco ($106/magnum, Biondivino) Amarone lovers speak the name Giuseppe Quintarelli in reverent tones. Almost unknown, though, are his white wines, including the Ca' del Merlo, based on the Garganega grape of that other Veneto wine, Soave. But get Soave out of your head - Quintarelli's reputation for power and complexity also extends to his whites. The large bottle not only commends aging time in the cellar, but makes a rare find even more special. 2004 Oddero Barolo ($44, Biondivino) This was an astonishing year for Barolo. It was neither tawdry nor austere; its stately wines found just the right mix of feisty tannins and warm ripeness. This historic estate's blended bottling, from the communes of La Morra and Castiglione Falletto, is the perfect way to access a standout year without emptying your wallet or waiting a decade for the wine to soften.