Zenato Amarone 2015 (75cl, 16.5%)

An Amarone della Valpolicella Classico from the Valpolicella Classico zone in Veneto, Italy, produced by Zenato in Sant'Ambrogio. The 2015 vintage is composed of 80% Corvina Veronese, 10% Rondinella and 10% Oseleta and Croatina. The grapes undergo approximately four months of appassimento before being crushed in January. The wine then matures for 36 months in large-format Slavonian oak casks. The nose opens with dried black cherries and raisins, then truffle, chocolate fudge, marzipan, violet and new leather. The palate is rich and concentrated, with dried cherry and cassis, smoke, liquorice, prune, tobacco leaf, sage and dark chocolate over firm tannins. The finish is long and meaty, with tar, black fruit, bitter chocolate, sage and dried fruit.