Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa 2018 750 ML

A rather deep nose, with a mineral twist jumping out from the black chocolate and tarry blackberries. Quite juicy on the medium-to full-bodied palate, rounded by firm and resolved tannins. Attractive freshness to the dark-berry fruit in the finish.\n Producer Information\n Zenato is an important producer in the Veneto region of northeast Italy, with estates in the Lugana and Valpolicella regions. It is particularly known for its Amarone della Valpolicella wines, although it makes a range of other wines, from Pinot Grigio and Soave to varietal Corvina wines. The Amarone Classico wines are made at the Costalunga estate at Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella. The generic cuvée uses grapes that are dried for three to four months before fermentation and 36 months in oak barrels. The flagship Riserva Sergio Zenato is made from grapes that are dried in a single layer on trays, then aged in 7500-litre Slavonian casks for 48 months. Both are predominantly Corvina, with smaller portions of Rondinella and Oseleta. The Cresasso, also made at the Costalunga estate, is a single-vineyard varietal Corvina which comes under the Veronese IGT designation. The grapes for this wine are picked in two phases: the first is dried for two months, and the second is over-ripened on the vine then fermented in stainless steel. The two parts are then blended and aged in French oak casks for 24 months. The estate also makes a Recioto, a Ripasso, a Valpolicella Classico Superiore and the Cormì Veneto IGT, made from Corvina and Merlot. Zenato's other estate, Santa Cristina in San Benedetto di Lugana, has 75 hectares (185 acres) of vineyards. Under the Zenato banner, the estate produces Pas Dosé and a Brut Metodo Classico sparkling wine, plus the Lugano San Benedetto from Trebbiano di Lugana (or Verdicchio). The S. Cristina range also includes Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, a passito, a grappa and olive oil. The Lugana Riserva Sergio Zenato, also made from Trebbiano di Lugana, tops the Lugana range. The company also produces a Bardolino red and Bardolino Chiaretto (rosé).