Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC 2015 Half Bottles (375ml)

 

Rated 94 Points by James Suckling

 

Ranked #62 of 100 Best Wines Under $30

 

This is so refined and focused with layers of fruit and ultra-fine tannins.  Plenty of chocolate and spice, too.  Medium to full body, integrated tannins and a focused finish.  Drink or hold. 

 

Rated 91 Points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 

The 2015 Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore Ripassa shows black fruit and plum with chalky limestone notes that add a touch of dryness to the otherwise soft and sweet fruit profile delivered here.  In terms of Ripasso (named Ripassa here), this expression does show nice darkness and richness that tastes even more pronounced in this very warm and sunny vintage.  Pair this wine with your favorite barbecued meats.

 

Rated 90 Points by Wine Spectator

 

This elegant red is well-balanced, layering light, creamy tannins and flavors of plumped cherry, anise and orange peel in a medium-bodied frame.  A hint of graphite-laced mineral lingers on the finish.  Drink now through 2024.

 

Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC 2015

 

Half Bottles

 

Wine Description

 

This wine is a blend of 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, and 5% Oseleta.  As soon as the dried grapes for the Amarone are fermented, selected batches of Valpolicella wine are “re-passed” over the Amarone lees, thus starting a second fermentation that slightly increases the alcohol content and gives the wine deeper color and more complex aromas.  Ripassa is refined in tank for six months and then aged in French allier tonneaux for eighteen months.  The wine spends an additional six months in bottle before it is released.

 

Blend:  85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta

 

Tasting Notes

 

Deep ruby-red in color, this wine shows intense aromas of blackberries and black currants underscored by aromas of spice pepper, and a hint of leather.  On the palate, it is smooth and viscous with well-balanced acidity and alcohol.

 

Food Pairing

 

Pair this wine with risotto, Lyonnaise sauces, beef negimaki, and rabbit ragu.

 

Excellent companion to game dishes, grilled meat and roasts, salami and aged cheeses.

 

Winemaker Notes

 

This wine is closely connected to the greatest wine of Valpolicella:  Amarone.  After pressing the dried grapes from which Amarone is made, the Valpolicella wine is passed over the still warm marc of Amarone.  A second alcoholic fermentation begins which increases the alcoholic content and the wine becomes richer in color, bouquet.

 

Vineyard & Production Information

 

Production Area / Appellation:  Valpolicella Ripasso DOC

 

Soil Composition:  Calcareous Silty-Loam

 

Training Method:  Guyot

 

Elevation:  825-990 Feet

 

Vines / Acre:  2,000

 

Yield / Acre:  4.0 Tons

 

Exposure:  Southeastern

 

Harvest Time:  October

 

Bottles produced of this wine:  150,000

 

Winemaking & Aging

 

Varietal Composition:  85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta

 

Fermentation Container:  Stainless Steel Tanks

 

Length of alcoholic fermentation:  First: 12-15; Second: 8-10 Days

 

Fermentation Temperature:  First: 77-79; Second: 72-75 °F

 

Maceration Technique:  Racking

 

Length of Maceration:  20-22 Days

 

Malolactic Fermentation:  Yes

 

Type of Aging Container:  Barrels

 

Size of Aging Container:  300-500 L

 

Age of Aging Container:  One-Five Years

 

Type of Oak:  French

 

Length of aging before bottling:  18 Months

 

Length of bottle aging:  6 Months

 

 

Zenato

 

          Winery Profile

 

Estate Owner:  The Zenato Family

 

Winemaker:  Alberto Zenato

 

Total Acreage Under Vine:  175

 

Founded:  1960

 

Production:  2,000,000

 

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.

 

Winemaking Philosophy

 

Today, the winery operates under a philosophy and mission of Quality (from the vineyard to the bottle and consumer), Passion and Tradition (respecting the roots of the territory and local culture).

 

 

Rated 90 Points by Wine Spectator

 

This elegant red is well-balanced, layering light, creamy tannins and flavors of plumped cherry, anise and orange peel in a medium-bodied frame.  A hint of graphite-laced mineral lingers on the finish.  Drink now through 2024.