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Zenato

This is a large family business, run by father Sergio and children Alberto and Nadia, which despite its size has built up a reputation for good quality wines. They operate as a commerciante (négociant), producing wine from bought-in grapes, as well as running their own estate in Lugana.

The wines produced include a top-flight Amarone as well as a ripasso method Valpolicella which is labelled as Ripassa, because problems with copyright on the term ripasso. At their own estate they also grow a number of international varieties including Cabernet and Chardonnay, as well as the native Trebbiano. (24/2/03)

Contact details:
Address: Via San Benedetto 8, 37019 Peschiera del Garda
Telephone: +39 045 755 0300
Fax: +39 045 640 0449
Internet: www.zenato.it

Zenato - Tasting Notes

The following were tasted in February and March 2003. Click to locate stockists.

Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 1993: Dark garnet red, the rich earthy hues of maturity just beginning to appear, but no real browning. Layers of aromas on the nose. Rich berry fruits first, then a stewed, pruny character, with roasted fruits, then moist tobacco and rose petal notes. Great texture, maturing fruit, integrated tannins but with a firm, spicy character. Sweetly ripe and balanced, with sharp, clean acidity, more than matched by the rich mouthfeel. Much more enjoyable than my last tasting, when it was just one tiny part of an evening of fine food and wine. Excellent.

Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa 1998: A deep, brooding red-purple hue. On the nose there are smoke-tinged fruits, with nuances of liquorice and cough candy. A delicious presence on the palate, with a fresh, balanced entry overtaken by the rich, full yet smooth texture derived from the ripasso process. Packed with ripe, bitter-sweet fruit, and some soft tannins. Delicious drinking, punching some way above its weight - a real mini-Amarone. Very good. Label

The following wine was tasted in June 2002.

Zenato Amarone della Valpolcella 1993: A paler red than many of the other wines served tonight. Sweet cherries on the nose, with some wood influence. Good texture on the palate, which still has plenty of fruit. Nice bittersweet edge to the cherry, rose petals, cigar, tar and smoke flavours. A delightful texture and wonderfully clean finish. 17.5/20

Zenato

Zenato - Tasting Notes

Veneto