2001 Quantarelli Giuseppe Valpolicella ***

Received this for my birthday a couple months back and cracked it on Laguna beach overlooking a pod of dolphins frolicking in the Pacific. This took a good couple days to unwind. Tart dark berries on the nose, gains a nice musty deepness with air. Zzzing! on the palate. Austere balance, tight, fine tannins, lending an overall impression of elegant power wrapped in worn oak. A "should try at least once in your life" wine.