96pts James Suckling

Very aromatic, pushing out aromas of dried red and black fruit, including dried blueberries and dates, together with a nice, spicy layer of nutmeg and pressed flowers. Full-bodied with an amazingly harmonious texture to the palate, thanks to the dense, very fine tannins that also provide super length. There’s a bright, saline mineral note that kicks in and pushes the finish even further. Exquisite Amarone. Drink or hold.

93pts Vinous

The 2018 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is exotic in the glass, with blood orange and mint nuances giving way to macerated cherries and clove. Supple and round upon entry, this impresses with its core of vibrant acidity and vividly ripe red fruits that create an interplay of sweet and sour on the palate. This tapers off with depth and concentration but is also unexpectedly fresh, leaving notes of plum and autumnal spice to linger on and on. This is a wildly successful effort for the vintage. My hat is off to Zernato.

92pts Decanter

Very ripe nose displaying aromas of dried raisins, toffee, angelica and plummy dark fruits. Powerful on the palate, soft and warm.

92pts Wine Spectator

A harmonious version, round and medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins enmeshed with a fragrant mix of steeped cherry and strawberry, tea rose and tea leaf, mineral and spice flavors. Juicy finish. Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta and Croatina. Drink now through 2028. 12,500 cases made, 2,450 cases imported.

Winemaker Notes

Ruby red in color, intoxicating aromas of dried black cherries, cassis, truffles, and chocolate fudge leap out of the glass. The resulting wine is silky, luscious, and complex, with a lingering finish. Pair this wine with osso bucco, Bordelaise sauces, wild boar ravioli, or grilled cowboy ribeyes.

Winery Notes

The Zenato winery possesses a strong link to the richness of its local history and culture, and continues to develop this connection today. The estate is based in a territory that surrounds Lake Garda, with an extraordinary microclimate that allows for an optimal growing season. Cherishing a ‘frank and simple’ approach to life, Zenato is committed to producing affordable wine of exceptional quality. With a passion for the land and a dedication to vigorous research, innovation and quality improvement, Sergio Zenato strived to eclipse past results. He crafted wines that are known for their quality and consistency.

Founded in 1960 by Sergio and Carla Zenato, the Zenato winery was originally based on the production of quality wines from an indigenous varietal, Trebbiano di Lugana. Over time, the winery has been passed to Sergio and Carla’s children, who have maintained and expanded upon this vision. Their daughter Nadia currently handles the marketing and promotional activity for the company, while their son Alberto oversees all aspects of production, from the growing of the vines to the completion of the bottling process. Zenato has also explored another important area of Italian wine production — Valpolicella. It is here that they have dedicated endless efforts to the improvement and success of Amarone production, a wine of noble attributes and prestige. Zenato has entered into international markets and received the highest accolades from the wine industry’s leading experts, praise that reflects the way in which the company operates on a daily basis. Today, Zenato continues to look to the future and invest in development projects based in the areas of Valpolicella and Lugana.