Auxey-Duresses Premier Cru 'Ecusseaux', Domaine Robert Ampeau et Fils 1990 vs La Giaretta, I Quadretti Amarone Classico 2018
Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications. La Giaretta, I Quadretti Amarone Classico 2018 currently starts £0.80 lower.
| Availability | In stock | In stock |
|---|---|---|
| Best current price | £73.40 | £72.60 |
| Current stockists | 1 merchant | 1 merchant |
| Producer | Robert Ampeau & Fils | La Giaretta |
| Style | Red | Red |
| Grape | Pinot Noir | Corvina, Rondinella |
| Size | 750ml | 750ml |
| Where to buy |
Auxey-Duresses Premier Cru 'Ecusseaux', Domaine Robert Ampeau et Fils 1990
Michel Ampeau, now in his 70s, has retired after making more than 35 vintages at the family domaine created by his grandfather at the turn of the last century. The domaine covers many of the finest climats of the Côte de Beaune. For decades, however, he pursued a policy of only selling his wines when mature and, as a result, has one of the finest collections of back vintages in the whole of Burgundy. The wine-making has long been traditional. The reds are 100% de-stemmed, fermented in cement, open-topped vats at a maximum of 30C with regular pigeage and aged for up to 12 months in 10% new oak barrels. The style is one of lean, intellectual, harmonious wines where the fruit is complemented by crisp acidity and/or firm but ripe tannins. They are built to age and are fantastic partners for food. "This is a delightful surprise – fully mature but showing wisdom, not wrinkles. Ecusseaux is on the eastern boundaries of the village and touches Monthelie to the north and Meursault to the east. This has some firmness but no rusticity, the quality of this super vintage shines through – literally, with a warmth and generosity to the fruit. A really fun, rewarding bottle to produce at a tasting or dinner table." Tom, Head Wine Guru
La Giaretta, I Quadretti Amarone Classico 2018
Sourced from La Giaretta's oldest and most prized vineyards in the heart of Valpolicella, I Quadretti is the flagship Amarone—crafted only from the finest grapes of each vintage. Aged for around three years in small French oak (durmast) barrels and then refined in bottle for 10–12 months, it offers a deep ruby red colour, impressive structure, and a complex bouquet of spices. At its core, though, it stays true to Amarone’s signature notes of cherry and wild berries. This is a wine built for bold flavours—perfect alongside game, braised beef, grilled meats, aged cheeses, and cured meats. It’s also a superb wine for quiet contemplation. For the best experience, open it ahead of time and serve at 18°C. "The wines from this under the-radar-property La Giaretta, in the hill town of Valgatara, are amongst the most popular in our portfolio with club members. Their flagship is the stunning, single vineyard Amarone Classico Riserva “I Quadretti”, produced in miniscule quantities, which is a powerhouse of a wine, with a super ripe cherry nose of Kirsch and Black Forest Gateaux, together with loam and highly polished leather. Despite its’s almost port-like richness, and sweetness, the palate retains a wonderful fruit-driven freshness and energy. Talented winemaker Francesca Nicoli, together with husband and agronomist Francesco, ensures unfailingly every year that the wine quality here deserves to be far more widely recognised. One of our best kept secrets!" Tom, Head Wine Guru
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