“AS SERIOUS AS THEY COME” ZENATO 2017 RISERVA

“Zenato is one of the historic names in Valpolicella. The estate makes a wide range of wines, but truly excels with Amarone. A recent vertical tasting of Zenato’s Amarone Riserva Sergio Zenato going back to 1980 was eye-opening for many reasons, not the least of which was seeing just how well the wines age.” Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
 
The high-quality approach to this wine begins in the vineyard as it is made from a strict selection of Corvina, Rondinella, Croatina, and Oseleta grapes grown in the Sant’ Ambrogio district. The grapes were harvested in September and October and dried for four months before fermentation. After being aged for 36 months in large barrels, the wine was refined for several months in bottle.
 
2017 Zenato Amarone Sergio Zenato Riserva – $159.95 per bottle – six packs – Late July.
98 Points James Suckling
“This is one of those wines where your nose is in the glass for ages, enjoying the complex array of aromas that range from raspberries to dates, perfumed bark to polished wood, pressed flowers to fresh mushrooms. Full-bodied, dense and focused with fine, well-integrated tannins, plenty of fruit flavor and an endless finish. A joy to drink even now, but this will age gracefully for many a year.” – James Suckling
 
97 Points Vinous
“The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Sergio Zenato is totally classic to the Zenato style, with macerated cherries, raisins, sweet herbs, cocoa, black pepper and shavings of cedar. This deeply textural with a dense wave of mineral-encased dark red fruits and balsamic spice carried across a core of stimulating acidity. Mocha and clove mix with black currant and olive as the 2017 finishes dramatically long and potent. There’s simply so much going on here, and more is guaranteed to come with maturation. Also of note is that the 2017 clocks in at only 3.3 grams of residual sugar. This is as serious as they come” — Eric Guido, Vinous Media.