Zenato Amarone 2015

Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015 is a full-bodied Italian red wine from the Valpolicella Classico zone, bottled at 16.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This vintage earned an exceptional 98 points from James Suckling, alongside 93 points from Wine Enthusiast and 92 points from Wine Spectator, placing it among the most acclaimed Amarone releases of the decade.
Quick Facts: ABV: 16.5%  |  Origin: Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy  |  Vintage: 2015  |  Winery: Zenato, Sant’Ambrogio
Production & Heritage
Zenato is a family-owned estate based in Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, in the heart of the Classico zone. The 2015 vintage is composed of 80% Corvina Veronese, 10% Rondinella, and 10% Oseleta and Croatina — grapes that undergo approximately four months of appassimento (natural air-drying) before being crushed in January. The wine then matures for 36 months in large-format Slavonian oak casks, a traditional aging approach that builds complexity without overwhelming the fruit with new-oak influence. This extended cask time exceeds many competitors in the region and contributes to the wine’s signature balance of power and finesse.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: The nose opens with intoxicating layers of dried black cherries and raisins, followed by deeper notes of truffle, chocolate fudge, and marzipan. Subtle hints of violet and new leather develop with time in the glass.
Taste: The entry is rich and concentrated, with dried cherry and cassis giving way to a massive mid-palate framed by smoke, liquorice, and prune. At its peak, the wine reveals tobacco leaf, sage, and dark chocolate, all supported by a firm tannic structure that keeps the 16.5% alcohol remarkably balanced.
Finish: Long and meaty, with tar, black fruit, and a persistent thread of bitter chocolate lingering well after each sip. The texture remains velvety throughout, with sage and dried fruit echoing on the close.
How to Drink Zenato Amarone
This Amarone is best served at 16–18°C (61–64°F) and benefits from at least 30 minutes of decanting to fully open the concentrated aromatics. It is a wine built for contemplative sipping, though its structure also makes it a formidable partner at the dinner table. Pair it with braised beef short ribs, where the wine’s dark fruit and smoke mirror slow-cooked richness. It also stands up beautifully to ossobuco, matching the dish’s marrow-laden intensity note for note. For a simpler pairing, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano draws out the wine’s chocolate and dried-fruit character.
Best For
Gifting a serious Italian wine collector or Amarone enthusiast
Anchoring a multi-course Italian dinner with hearty braised or roasted meats
Cellaring for future drinking — the 2015 vintage has significant aging potential
Celebrating a milestone occasion with a critically acclaimed, high-scoring wine
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Zenato Amarone 2015 taste like? It is a rich, concentrated wine dominated by dried black cherry, prune, chocolate, and tobacco, with a firm tannic backbone and a long, smoky finish. Despite its 16.5% ABV, it remains balanced and fresh rather than heavy.
How does Zenato Amarone compare to Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015? Both are Classico-zone Amarone producers from the excellent 2015 vintage, and both are frequently cited on top-wine lists for the year. Zenato tends toward a richer, more fruit-forward profile with extended Slavonian oak aging, while Bertani is historically known for a more restrained, traditionally structured style with longer pre-release aging.
Is Zenato Amarone good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its concentrated dried-fruit aromatics, layered complexity, and long finish make it an ideal wine for slow, contemplative drinking after dinner or alongside a cheese course.
Where is Zenato Amarone made? Zenato Amarone is produced at the Zenato estate in Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, within the Valpolicella Classico sub-zone of the Veneto region in northeastern Italy.
What foods pair well with Zenato Amarone? Braised beef short ribs complement the wine’s smoky depth; ossobuco mirrors its richness and structure; aged Parmigiano-Reggiano highlights its chocolate and dried-fruit notes; venison stew matches its meaty complexity; and dark chocolate desserts echo the wine’s cocoa and bitter-cherry finish.
What sizes does Zenato Amarone come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, and Zenato also releases this Amarone in magnum (1.5L) format for select vintages.
Is Zenato Amarone worth the price? Zenato Amarone positions as a premium Amarone that competes with — and often outscores — wines at significantly higher price points, making it one of the stronger values in the top tier of the Amarone category, particularly with a 98-point James Suckling rating.
Why Zenato Amarone?
A 98-point score from James Suckling is rare for any Amarone, and the 2015 vintage backed that up with additional recognition from Wine Enthusiast (93 points) and Wine Spectator (92 points). The wine’s 36-month maturation in large-format Slavonian casks — longer than many peers — gives it an integration of tannin and fruit that younger-released Amarone simply cannot match. The blend’s inclusion of Oseleta, a lesser-known indigenous grape, adds structural depth and color intensity that distinguish it from more conventional Corvina-Rondinella bottlings. For collectors and drinkers seeking a benchmark 2015 Amarone from the Classico zone, few bottles carry this combination of critical acclaim, traditional production, and aging potential.