The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Sergio Zenato blossoms in the glass with a decadent bouquet that blends crushed violet candies, spiced blood orange and dried blueberries. This is silky smooth, nearly creamy in feel, with a dense wave of ripe red berry fruits contrasted by a bitter tinge of dark, dark chocolate. Despite its size (17% alcohol), a core of zesty acidity maintains amazing energy and freshness as the 2017 finishes dramatically long and intense, leaving a staining of tart wild berry fruit to linger.

By Eric Guido December 2023