Zýmè

At Zýmē there are no set rules, only the pursuit of experimentation to offer a unique and honest experience that also conveys the character of each vintage. Il Bianco From Black to White (sealed with a glass cork) opens with a golden colour and a whitish sheen typical of grapes that have no skin contact. The predominant grape variety is Rondinella Bianca, a mutation discovered only by chance in the vineyards of Zýmē and unique in Italy.

On the fresh bouquet, aromas of citrus, honeydew melon, star jasmine and sour grapefruit. On the palate idiosyncratically different, but silky and very tasty with medium body, while ripe apples and nectarines are stimulated by juicy acids and a hint of green citrus. The tension increases with each successive glass, a slightly tropical note is added in the final, together with salty minerals and lingering spiciness, From Black to White also clearly expresses its deserved place in Celestino Gaspari's exceptional portfolio, for it is a white gem full of character and purity! SUPERIORE.DE

"This is the result of a white wine made in a profoundly red-wine region, a blend of 60% Rondinella Bianca, 15% Gold Traminer, 15% Kerner and 10% Incrocio Manzoni. The Zýmè 2019 Il Bianco From Black To White opens to a light golden color with a whitish shine that is typical of grapes that see no skin contact. It allows easy aromas of citrus, honeydew melon, star jasmine and sour grapefruit. There are also some bitter tones of almond or pine nut that add vertical intensity to this quirky white wine." Wine Advocate

"Masses of ripe peaches, melon and sweet florals waft up from the spicy and exotic 2019 Il Bianco From Black to White. This is silky, pure and wonderfully fresh with lime-tinged fruits and confectionery spices. It tapers off with medium length, slightly tropical and teeming with minerality. The 2019 is a beautifully expressive and lifted vintage of From Black to White." Vinous

Dark ruby red. The bouquet gives a furious hint of what this opulent long-distance runner is capable of: full heart of cherry fruit, blue flowers, damp forest floor, noble spice and a well-dosed use of wood impressively alternate. Just as complex and multi-layered on the nose, the wine goes on to show beguiling wild berries, precisely polished tannins and an extraordinarily elegant long final. Wow! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with very light garnet reflections. Notes of ripe cherries, wild berries, sweet spices and some hints of cocoa and dried flowers. Velvety, soft, persistent, spicy flavour with excellent extract richness." Falstaff

"Crushed berries and a layer of mahogany on the nose. Full-to medium-bodied with a very refined, polished feel and intense flavor. Firm tannins push the length. Very solid, but exuding finesse." James Suckling

"The 2018 Valpolicella Classico Superiore seduces with a dusting of confectionery spice and sweet smoke complementing its bright cherry profile. This is juicy and round with vivid ripe red berries and minty herbs, along with violet and lavender florals. The finish is long and staining with round tannins that linger. For all of its sweet spice, the Valpolicella Classico Superiore is matured entirely in large Slavonian oak - what you smell is fruit." Vinous

Celestino Gaspari is considered the successor to Giuseppe Quintarelli, having worked there for many years as cellar master. His vintage Amarone shines in an intense ruby with garnet glints. The full bouquet has aromas of dark chocolate, prunes, black cherries and cloves. Complex and full-bodied on the palate, very juicy fruit, cherries, plums flanked by a gentle tannin. It offers an impressive multi-dimensionality and great richness that is evenly distributed across all the senses - regardless of whether it is drunk young after a few hours of decanting, or whether it achieves further bottle maturity with good ageing over many years. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is spicy and unexpectedly fresh with a bouquet of crushed black cherries and dried roses accompanied by savoury, exotic spices. The wine has a silky texture with a balanced inner sweetness that complements the depth of the mineral red and black fruits. The residual acids provide a lovely energy within, while the liquorice and citrus notes slowly fade into dark chocolate, all beautifully framed by a layer of fine tannin." Vinous

"Needs air to bring out the lovely black fruit character on the nose, from currants to dates and fresher elderberries. But the fruit unfurls immediately on the palate and gathers inky, licoricy notes as it progresses, as well as a hint of polished oak. Full-bodied and nicely focused with good drive and a balanced structure. Long finish now, but this will gain further length and complexity as it ages in the bottle. This has a “modern” feel, though without betraying any of the Amarone tradition. Excellent. Drinkable now, but will improve." James Suckling

Very deep with exotic spices and dried black cherries. More savoury than sweet on the palate, salty minerals, sour citrus and a touch of juicy acidity mingle with robust and dark red fruits. Finishes long and leaves an autumnal aromatic carpet of spices and a hint of vanillin oak, always fresh and never too broad. In its balance and beguiling nature, it has an almost dangerous drinkability that is likely to lead to emptying the bottle far too quickly ... SUPERIORE.DE

"Elegant, dark ruby with violet hints. In the nose of fresh brown bread, then of pickled cherries, plums, also floral of roses and lilac, blackberry syrup in the aftertaste. On the palate with slightly noticeable wood and a bitter undertone, spicy, dense without being ponderous, lingers for a long time." Falstaff

"The 2015 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico is intense and more savory than sweet, with a blend of crushed ashen stone and grilled herbs giving way to dried black cherries. Its silken textures coat the palate with depths of ripe red and black fruits complemented by dark chocolate and inner rose notes. This leaves a bitter balsamic twang as the lips curl, and the mouth is left watering for more. For all of its power, the 2015 comes across as remarkably balanced and enjoyable today, but also with a bright future ahead of it." Vinous

"A slightly heady nose of sweet, dried black fruits that continues on the palate. Full-bodied with well-integrated tannins that drive the fruit. Well structured and everything in order." James Suckling

Are you ready for what is probably Italy's most extraordinary red wine, made from Garganega, Trebbiano Toscano, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Teroldego, Croatina, Oseleta, Sangiovese and Marzemino?

Harlequin - vinified only in the very best vintages - is an oversized and ultra-modern wine that is a true blockbuster with its aromas, intensity and power. Sit back and let this wine take you on a long journey over black midnight fruits, exotic spices, toast and tar. You can't identify the individual grape varieties, but that's not the point of this production. Instead, he focuses on the boldest and most memorable aspects of each grape - flavour, texture and power - and fuses them into a whole that is then multiplied by a factor of 10. It's an experience that eclipses everything from the first glass to the last. SUPERIORE.DE

"An incredibly pretty yet profound blend of dusty rose, cherry and crushed stone emerges from the 2015 Harlequin. Soft and seductive, it flows across the palate like crushed velvet as it blends medicinal blackberry and balsamic spice. With time, mineral notes come to the fore and a hint of sour citrus adds zest. The 2015 lasts incredibly long, remaining spicy throughout with a layer of fine tannins that frame the expression very well. This is a super-sexy yet harmonious Harlequin that only needs a short stay in the cellar to be at its best." Vinous

"This is always a fascinating wine to review because it offers a rare glimpse onto the opulent richness and general excesses that can be achieved in this unique winemaking zone just outside Verona. And, in terms of excess, I'm not just referring to the wine's elevated price tag. Packaged in a very heavy glass bottle, the Zýmè 2015 Harlequin is incredibly dense and thickly layered with cherry liqueur, kirsch, jammy blackberry and spice. This is an ambitious blend of 15 grapes (with 11 red varieties including, Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah, and four white grapes, Garganega, Trebbiano Toscano, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc). It boasts large shoulders and mighty textural power (with a 15% alcohol content)." Wine Advocate

"This is an extravagant red wine with serious structure. Aromas of berries and currants mingle with multi-layered nuances, both from the fruit and the oak, ranging from red and black liquorice to spiced bun and black cardamom. Full-bodied with well-integrated, velvety tannins and a long, firm but balanced finish. A blend of 15 indigenous and international grape varieties, 11 red and four white. A serious red wine from Veneto! Drinkable now, but wiser to wait a few more years." James Suckling

La Mattonara Riserva is a massive wine with wonderful exaggerations of ripe fruit, oak spice, dark aromas and dense texture. Sparkling, intense ruby garnet. Deep and complex on the nose, very clear and intense, fresh cherry juice, some fresh plum, nuances of coriander seeds behind. La Mattonara does an impressive peacock wheel on the palate, its diverse aromas from ripe dark cherries to cranberries and spicy components are not only very well integrated, but also perfectly framed in a fine-meshed tannin. Dark, brooding and spicy in character, the Appassito fruit is impeccably balanced, everything comes through beautifully here. It will more than delight Amarone fans and other lovers of great wines, if they will not be put off by its price or its 16 %vol. alcohol. SUPERIORE.DE

"Available in a heavy glass bottle with a label design of a human fingerprint inside a grape leaf, the Zýmè 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva della Mattonara does indeed prove to be a fitting joint venture between vintner and vineyard. It shows an evolved character with concentrated black fruit, savory tobacco, cured meat and sweet spice. The mouthfeel is dense and almost syrupy. It offers a powerful 16% alcohol content. This is surely one of the most distinctive and original wines to come from northeast Italy, and it will appeal to those who love vinous excess and richness." Wine Advocate

"Dense, sparkling ruby, light garnet rim. Multi-layered and concentrated in the nose, initially showing slightly spicy-resinous notes, of wild blueberries, some smoke and liquorice, then lots of prune, balsamic. Substantial and dense in attack and course, lots of grippy tannin, embedded in beautiful melting, will come together splendidly." Falstaff

"Very full and structured, but very juicy and fresh as a daisy. You would not believe that this wine is already 14 years old, which is a testament to the persistence of Amarone, but even more to the excellence of this wine. A compact bead of currants and dates runs through the wine, supported by ample tannins that are well integrated. The finish is very long." James Suckling

La Mattonara Riserva is a massive wine with wonderful exaggerations of ripe fruit, oak spice, dark aromas and dense texture. Sparkling, intense ruby garnet. Deep and complex on the nose, very clear and intense, fresh cherry juice, some fresh plum, nuances of coriander seeds behind. La Mattonara does an impressive peacock wheel on the palate, its diverse aromas from ripe dark cherries to cranberries and spicy components are not only very well integrated, but also perfectly framed in a fine-meshed tannin. Dark, brooding and spicy in character, the Appassito fruit is impeccably balanced, everything comes through beautifully here. It will more than delight Amarone fans and other lovers of great wines, if they will not be put off by its price or its 16 %vol. alcohol. SUPERIORE.DE

"Available in a heavy glass bottle with a label design of a human fingerprint inside a grape leaf, the Zýmè 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva della Mattonara does indeed prove to be a fitting joint venture between vintner and vineyard. It shows an evolved character with concentrated black fruit, savory tobacco, cured meat and sweet spice. The mouthfeel is dense and almost syrupy. It offers a powerful 16% alcohol content. This is surely one of the most distinctive and original wines to come from northeast Italy, and it will appeal to those who love vinous excess and richness." Wine Advocate

"Dense, sparkling ruby, light garnet rim. Multi-layered and concentrated in the nose, initially showing slightly spicy-resinous notes, of wild blueberries, some smoke and liquorice, then lots of prune, balsamic. Substantial and dense in attack and course, lots of grippy tannin, embedded in beautiful melting, will come together splendidly." Falstaff

"Very full and structured, but very juicy and fresh as a daisy. You would not believe that this wine is already 14 years old, which is a testament to the persistence of Amarone, but even more to the excellence of this wine. A compact bead of currants and dates runs through the wine, supported by ample tannins that are well integrated. The finish is very long." James Suckling