Zenato 2012 Amarone Classico Riserva, Sergio Zenato

Amarone Riserva “Sergio Zenato” is produced only in excellent vintages and is a standard-bearer for Amarone. Produced from a selection of grapes, 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella and 10% Oseleta coming from the oldest vineyards in Costalunga estate in Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella. The particularly low yields have led to a wine of great concentration. The grapes are left to raisin dry for 3-4 months in small trays (only one layer), well-spaced out to allow good air circulation. The wine pressing takes place in January through de-stemmer and pre-maceration of the skins on the must. Skin contact fermentation lasted 15-20 days, then the wine has been aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for 48 months.

At Decanter Magazine's Asia Wine Awards this earned Best in Show with a 97 point Platinum Award. They said "Despite the fact that this Amarone came into being in 2012, its colour is still dense black, youthful and promising. The aromas of this classical blend of Corvina with Rondinella and the almost juiceless Oseleta are haunting and deep: dried cherry, cinnamon, mace and nutmeg. It also has a savoury, earthy, fleshy and almost visceral appeal quite different to anything offered by wines whose fruits have not undergone a drying process. You may find a floral note, too. In the mouth, the wine is rich, deeply constituted, with both a fresh-fruit charm and a dry-fruit complexity. There are ample tannins. In one sense, the flavours are still settling down, and this is a wine which could be aged further with confidence; but its finishing sweetness and the balance of its fruit components give it ample drinkability now. DRINK 2018-2030."