Zenato Amarone Riserva Sergio 2016 MG

Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Sergio 2016 in magnum format is a deeply expressive, collector-worthy red from one of Veneto’s benchmark producers. With its dense color, layered complexity and refined power, it captures the very soul of Amarone and the hills where it’s born. This limited-release Riserva (only about 9,000 bottles produced) is built for long aging, with the concentration and structure to evolve beautifully for more than 20 years.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2016 Sergio Zenato Riserva shows a luminous, deep ruby to garnet color, with remarkable intensity and viscosity that clings to the sides of the glass. The nose is opulent and complex: ripe dark cherry, black plum and blackberry compote are woven with notes of dried fig, cocoa, sweet tobacco, balsamic herbs and a distinctive smoky, savory edge. Subtle hints of baking spice, vanilla, licorice and dried roses add further nuance as the wine opens. On the palate, this is a thick, full-bodied and richly textured Amarone, with impressive fruit weight and an alcohol level around 16.5% that is seamlessly wrapped in concentrated flavor. The attack is plush and generous, offering layers of dark fruit, kirsch, chocolate, roasted coffee bean and black pepper, supported by salty, slightly smoky mineral tones. The tannins are soft yet firm enough to give grip, described as silky and “dusty” rather than aggressive, and the finish is very long, warm and persistent. This 2016 has the balance and structure to age gracefully for two decades or more in magnum, gaining further complexity, truffle notes and tertiary nuances with time.

Production
The Sergio Zenato Amarone Riserva comes from carefully selected old-vine parcels in the Valpolicella Classico zone of Veneto, where limestone- and clay-rich soils and hillside exposures contribute both concentration and finesse to the fruit. Grapes—primarily Corvina with Rondinella and local indigenous varieties—are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness and then laid out in well-ventilated drying lofts for several months in the traditional appassimento method, allowing them to partially dehydrate and intensify in flavor and sugar. After gentle pressing and a long, slow fermentation on the skins, the wine is aged for extended periods (often around four years) in large oak casks and barriques, followed by further bottle aging before release, ensuring remarkable depth, polish and harmony.

Food & Serving
This powerful Amarone Riserva is best matched with equally rich, flavorful dishes: think braised beef cheeks, ossobuco, slow-cooked lamb shanks, wild boar ragù, mature hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, or aged Asiago and blue cheeses. It also makes a luxurious after-dinner wine with dark chocolate or simply sipped on its own as a meditation wine. Serve at about 18°C (64–66°F); if the bottle is too warm, a brief chill will help the alcohol feel better integrated. Decanting for 1–2 hours is highly recommended, especially in its youth, to allow the wine to unfold its full aromatic complexity and soften the structure.

Producer
Founded in 1960 by Sergio Zenato on the shores of Lake Garda, Zenato has become one of the most respected and influential family estates in Veneto. The winery played a key role in elevating the reputation of both Lugana whites and Valpolicella reds on the international stage, consistently championing quality and terroir expression. The Amarone Riserva Sergio Zenato is a tribute to the founder and represents the pinnacle of the estate’s work, regularly earning top scores from leading critics and serving as a reference point for traditional-yet-refined Amarone worldwide.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.