This year, two wines from my personal cellar sent my spirit soaring. I'd like to tell you about them because they are or were unpretentious, but remarkable.
The first was a '78 Valpolicella - yes Valpolicella - made by a gentleman by the name of Giuseppe Quintarelli. His Amarone, Valpolicella and oddities, like Cabernet Franc, are wines to die for. The wines have been imported, since time immemorial, by a New York importer named Robert Chatterdon who is independent enough that he will only sell his wines to those he thinks are worthy, and he does not consider any Connecticut distributor worthy. So we are deprived. Seriously so.
That 21-year-old Valpolicella had a gorgeous bronzy burgundy color, divine bouquet, velvety mouth feel and absolutely stunning, faded-violet fruit. Good to the very last drop. I have just 2 more bottles.
The second was also a '78 - Jaboulet Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine Thalabert, all Syrah, virtually no tannin left, silky mouth-feel, dried fruit and - yes - lingering, pepper and spice. Heaven should be this good!