“Selezione Sergio Zenato” Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG 2019

Zenato | Veneto
Zenato Az. Vitivinicola S.r.l. | Via San Benedetto 8 | IT 37019 Peschiera del Garda

03072519 · 0,75 l · 117,33 €/lavailable immediately

Sergio Zenato died in 2004. In the 1960s, he founded a winery on Lake Garda that gave the Turbiana grapes of Lugana a platform they had never known before – and then, step by step, expanded into the hills of Valpolicella Classico. This Riserva bears his name because it embodies the very best that Sergio Zenato strove for. It is produced only in the finest vintages, from a rigorous selection of the oldest vines in the municipality of Sant'Ambrogio, in the heart of Valpolicella Classico. Sant'Ambrogio lies at the south-western tip of the Classico zone, near Lake Garda. The lake's waters temper the climate, slow down ripening and give the vines a balance not found on the more distant hills. Corvina and Rondinella, complemented by Oseleta, that almost forgotten indigenous Valpolicella variety which was only saved from extinction in the 1990s.

The harvest takes place in September and October. This is followed by four months of appassimento in well-ventilated drying rooms – during which the grapes lose water and concentrate their sugar, aromas and colour. Pressing takes place in January, followed by 15 to 20 days of slow fermentation on the skins. Then the waiting begins: almost five years in large Slavonian oak barrels, followed by at least one year of bottle ageing. It takes six years or more from the vineyard to the glass. 2019 was a vintage of exceptional quality in Valpolicella Classico. Healthy, fully ripe grapes, and an appassimento process without complications.

A deep ruby red, tending towards garnet with age. On the nose, notes of cherry, Marasca cherry, wild berries, spices, menthol and a hint of dark chocolate. On the palate, it is dense and perfectly structured, with ripe, complex tannins and an exceptionally long finish. A monumental wine that honours more than just its founder. SUPERIORE.DE

"A dark, rich ruby red. On the nose, distinct notes of coffee with milk and cocoa powder, rich earthy tones, a hint of marzipan and dried rose petals; after some time in the glass, it reveals notes of mint, cranberries and black cherries. On the palate, it has a certain juiciness and earthy notes, followed by slightly rough and drying tannins on the finish; it needs further ageing." Falstaff

"There's lovely purity to the damson plum, black raspberry and cassis fruit flavors, joined by fragrant notes of sweet tobacco, cedar, vanilla and smoked paprika. Though generous and expressive, this finely tailored red avoids any feeling of weightiness, showing precision balance with the integration of refined tannins and mouthwatering acidity. Long and silky on the mineral- and spice-laced finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Amarone Classico della Valpolicella Riserva Sergio Zenato cascades from the glass with a hauntingly dark blend of crushed stones, sweet tobacco, shavings of dark chocolate and dried black cherries. It is weighty yet racy, with cool-toned acidity and depths of ripe raspberry that saturate the senses as fine tannins collect toward the close. The 2019 tapers off exceptionally long, leaving a subtle tinge of forgivable heat and echoes of violet inner florals." Vinous

"A dark and multilayered wine with aromas of plums, marzipan, leather and dried flowers enhanced by black pepper. Full-bodied, it shows density and ripe, velvety tannins with flavors of fruit and spices. Refreshing and long." James Suckling

"Excellence earning its signature. Purple fruits and violets create perfect tension while dark cherries and wild berries add their concentrated voice. The palate brings that rare combination where power meets finesse, four grapes working in harmony after months of careful drying. Time in large oak barrels has turned intensity into elegance. When a wine lives up to its maker's name." Wine Enthusiast