Zenato

One can certainly not deny this Bardolino its own personality. Floral, it ingratiates itself on the nose. The fruity taste, fresh and quaffable with a breath of Mediterranean Macchia. SUPERIORE.DE

An attractive fruit bouquet spoils the nose, fine and elegant. On the palate rather delicate, soft and balanced with a beautiful final. SUPERIORE.DE

The extremely popular rosé classic from Lake Garda: cherry-red underlaid old pink colour, fresh on the nose of citrus and wild berries. Crisp and fresh on the palate, it is very suitable as an aperitif and with light meals as well as a summery companion in the afternoon. SUPERIORE.DE

Colombara is a beautiful Soave from the single vineyard of the same name: Bright straw yellow, the elegant bouquet is slightly sweet on the nose, then fruity, enriched with notes of toasted bread. On the palate, hints of acacia, followed by rich fruit of peach, apple and pineapple. A balanced Soave Classico, soft and carried by good freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

Part of the grapes of the Alanera are air-dried before fermentation in the appassimento process to promote the concentration of the aromas. Dark ruby red. On the nose, the scent of dried and fresh cherries, plus a little coffee and sweet tobacco. On the palate then berry-fresh with a nice acid wire and fine tannins. A full, round wine for many occasions. SUPERIORE.DE

"Loads of peppery and spicy, ripe cherry and berry character on the nose and palate. Hints of coffee and chocolate, too. Full to medium palate, where the spicy tannins push the fruit into a long finish. I like the full-throttle drive to this red. Will improve in the bottle." James Suckling

Strong red with dark reflections. Delicate scent of plum jam and gingerbread. Also soft on the palate, with notes of nuts, sultanas and with beautiful juicy fruit. A real flatterer, wonderfully balanced with great drinking flow, and one of our bestsellers for years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pleasant nose of ripe plums, together with hints of fresh cherries, black pepper, aromatic herbs and prunes. Full-to medium-bodied with a good bead of sweet fruit, riding firm, silky tannins. Long, controlled and well-balanced finish." James Suckling

With the Lugana San Benedetto, Zenato shows every year anew how delicious the whites from Lake Garda can be. Crisp apples, pears, flowers and spices are just some of the notes that flow from this graceful, very pleasing white wine. On the palate, it is spicy, full and harmonious and the vibrant acidity blends freshly and well into the overall picture. SUPERIORE.DE

Cormi, a blend of Corvina and Merlot, is a rich and engagingly soft wine. On the nose it shows floral and earthy notes, while the taste has an overwhelming fruitiness (berry aroma) and light spicy nuances. SUPERIORE.DE

A successful work from Zenato's Azienda Agricola Santa Cristina. Straw yellow with an expansive bouquet of flowers, honey and sweet spices and a full, fresh flavour that finishes with an elegant almond note. SUPERIORE.DE

Zenato's world-famous Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore is a rich wine with the best value. Diverse aromas of dark fruits, coffee, liquorice and spices. Harmonious, long and round. A juicy blockbuster and on everyone's lips! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Ripassa is peppery with earth tones and crushed stone giving way to black cherries and savory herbs. There are depths of silken textures here offset by brisk acids, as ripe red and black fruits resonate under an air of lavender. This is so concentrated and intense, yet communicating elegance, while leaving the palate fresh with hints of violet candies that linger. The 2018 will need a short stay in the cellar to develop its aromatics. Well done." Vinous

Bright ruby red, fine notes of cherries and chocolate on the nose and a delicate scent of spices. Balanced, fresh, crisp on the palate and with its fine spicy note a versatile food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

Elegant and extremely popular, full-bodied spumante from Zenato, which confidently demonstrates what can be extracted from the terroir with its fragrant, fresh, soft and silky style. SUPERIORE.DE

Cresasso - an exquisite, single-varietal Corvina. Intensely scented with dark fruits, rose petals and spices. A rich, concentrated fruit on the palate, silky, with remarkable inner sweetness. Striking and sensual. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Corvina Cresasso is spicy and floral, with sugar-dusted cherries and red currant giving way to dried roses. This is undeniably elegant and opulent in feel, with ultra-ripe red and blue fruits motivated by juicy acidity. It tapers off lightly structured and saturating, drenching with concentration, yet with the acidity to keep the mouth watering. This is some serious juice, yet it’s powerful and lightly structured." Vinous

Zenato's Amarone is all about elegance, with ripe fruit at the centre of the inviting bouquet with light tones of aromatic herbs. Powerful, sparkling ruby. Very appealing and complex nose of plum, black cherry and a hint of leather. The palate shows its overripe power, a fine tannin and the warm, expansive taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, rich ruby red. Beautiful nose of candied citrus fruits, blood orange, also slightly of dried grapefruit, then cherries, roses, then again raspberry syrup and wild strawberries in the finish. On the palate compact and with a great melting, shows itself complex and yet accessible, juicy tannin envelops the clear fruit, very long final." Falstaff

"The 2018 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Ripassa is peppery with earth tones and crushed stone giving way to black cherries and savory herbs. There are depths of silken textures here offset by brisk acids, as ripe red and black fruits resonate under an air of lavender. This is so concentrated and intense, yet communicating elegance, while leaving the palate fresh with hints of violet candies that linger. The 2018 will need a short stay in the cellar to develop its aromatics. Well done." Vinous

Sansonina is a strictly limited and very ambitious project of the Zenato family, using only the best grapes from their own vineyards. Only a small amount of it reaches the specialist trade each year in numbered bottles.

A textbook-like bouquet of a slightly mature Merlot with dark fruit depth and beautiful notes of graphite and flint. Warm and soft on the palate, yet punchy, very precise and dry, at the same time showing lots of dark cherries and a fine sweet spiciness. You can literally feel the Lake Garda climate in its fresh and extremely harmonious character and you can be very curious about further years of bottle ageing! SUPERIORE.DE

"Exquisite aromas and flavors of black cherries, violets, chili chocolate and rosemary-like herbs. Full and very silky with well-integrated, chocolate-coated tannins, carrying a hint of balsamic, too. Long, delicious finish. So well balanced and refined. Complex." James Suckling

Deep bouquet of black berries and cocoa, violets and lavender. The taste with aromas of cherries, blackberries and wild berries, in the long finish the invigorating fresh impressions of medicinal herbs. A stately wine of the upper class. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, bright ruby. Opens on the nose with notes of spicy honey and pine needles, then lots of dark cherry, seems very fresh. On the palate grippy, gripping tannin, coated with sweet fruit, firm pressure, still needs ageing." Falstaff

"Violet, mature black-skinned fruit and new leather are some of the aromas you get on this big, bold red. Powerfully structured, the full-bodied palate features steeped prune, fruitcake and licorice framed in tightly knit, velvety tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"Packaged in a pretty brown label, the Zenato 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Sergio Zenato is very ripe and open with aged aromas of tarry smoke and baked fruit. This inky dark wine feels evolved and further down its evolutionary track than it should be. The 2015 vintage was hot and dry leading up to the appassimento process." Robert Parker

"This red is full-bodied yet bright and graceful, offering a rich range of baked black cherry, fragrant herb, dried fig and smoky mineral flavors, with lively acidity and sleek tannins providing a well-defined frame. Well-spiced and citrusy on the chewy finish." Wine Spectator

"Hand-graded grapes were left to dry for around four months, then fermented 15-20 days on the skins, the wine maturing for at least four years in large oak vessels before another year of ageing in bottle. Dense ruby in colour, this shows an impressively defined sense of terroir with its bright red-cherry fruit and black pepper – typical of Sant’Ambrogio Valpolicella – then the depth of dark chocolate, dried prunes and figs. Creaminess prevails on the off-dry (6g/L) palate, with elegant velvety tannins, refreshing high acidity and the final grip possibly from the Oseleta. A top example from the Classico area, this is a great example to pair with boiled meats and Italian mustard." Decanter

"The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Sergio Zenato is a massive and towering expression that straddles both savory and sweet with a heady display of plum sauce and crushed raspberries complemented by mentholated herbs, licorice and balsamic spice. There are depths of fresh red and black fruits that gain a polished feel as they coast across velvety textures, while vibrant acidity adds verve, further contrasted by a bitter twang of baker’s chocolate. There’s so much going on here that you hardly notice the 2015’s formidable structure up until the very end, where hints of cumin and ginger linger under an air of violet florals. I believe this opulent beauty deserves an official “Wow.” Drink the 2015 now for its primal intensity and extroverted fruit, or put it away for upwards of a decade. It’s a gorgeous Amarone Riserva." Vinous

"An Amarone for the future with terrific richness and tannin power, offering dried fruit, figs, blackberries, bark, mushrooms and hints of wood. Full-bodied and very structured with a powerful finish. It needs a lot of time to come around." James Suckling

Cresasso - an exquisite, single-varietal Corvina. Intensely scented with dark fruits, rose petals and spices. A rich, concentrated fruit on the palate, silky, with remarkable inner sweetness. Striking and sensual. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Corvina Cresasso is spicy and floral, with sugar-dusted cherries and red currant giving way to dried roses. This is undeniably elegant and opulent in feel, with ultra-ripe red and blue fruits motivated by juicy acidity. It tapers off lightly structured and saturating, drenching with concentration, yet with the acidity to keep the mouth watering. This is some serious juice, yet it’s powerful and lightly structured." Vinous

Cresasso - an exquisite, single-varietal Corvina. Intensely scented with dark fruits, rose petals and spices. A rich, concentrated fruit on the palate, silky, with remarkable inner sweetness. Striking and sensual. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Corvina Cresasso is spicy and floral, with sugar-dusted cherries and red currant giving way to dried roses. This is undeniably elegant and opulent in feel, with ultra-ripe red and blue fruits motivated by juicy acidity. It tapers off lightly structured and saturating, drenching with concentration, yet with the acidity to keep the mouth watering. This is some serious juice, yet it’s powerful and lightly structured." Vinous

The heartfelt project "Archivio Storico Zenato" was brought to life by Nadia Zenato in order to pay special attention to the excellence of an entire region. Just 2,000 0.75-litre bottles and 400 magnums are sold in selected specialist shops.

The grapes for this jewel come from the oldest vines on the hills of Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella. During and after the harvest, a strict selection of the grapes takes place, then the grapes dry in small wooden boxes (fruttai) in well-ventilated rooms and are gently pressed after the appassimento process is finished. Fermentation takes place on the skins for about 20 days, after which the wine is aged for 10 years in a large Slavonian oak barrel. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep, dark ruby red. In the nose open-hearted and accessible, of cranberry jam, bright spicy notes, cloves, anise, then Amarena cherries, mint, a hint of prune, toasted walnut, complex and multilayered. On the palate juicy, dark fruit, then tightly woven, punchy tannin, with a slightly salty undertone, endlessly long." Falstaff

"A rich, harmonious red, offering a lovely, detailed range of baked cherry, toffee, dried lemon thyme, fig cake and toasted cardamom flavors, with a subtle smoky underpinning. Soft, citrus peel acidity and seamlessly integrated creamy tannins provide a fine, supple frame. This is aging gracefully." Wine Spectator

"The 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella Archivio Storico Zenato is available in numbered bottles (I tasted bottle 0237 of 2,500 made). The packaging is elegant, and the bottle is made with heavy glass. The contents are rich and almost overdone with spice, jammy ripe fruit and blackberry preserves. Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta and Croatina grapes are dried for 120 days. Despite the wine's large and heavy frame, it does carry itself with impressive elegance and grace." Robert Parker

"This is an amazing Amarone with incredible aromas of dried fruit, raisins, chocolate and spice. Intense dried flowers. Fruit tea. Minerals. Full-bodied with a deep and rich finish. Juicy and chewy. Incredible structure. Dry finish. One to age for decades ahead in the cellar. Only 2,000 bottles made." James Suckling