Silky smooth Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc
“Baby Super Amarone”… is that even a thing? Well, if there is such a thing, this is undoubtedly one of the best! More about that in a moment.
Lake Garda
Vineyards in the southern region of Lake Garda are known for their plantings of both native and international grape varieties. Local varietals such as Corvina, Rondinella, and Molina grow alongside the fields of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
Viticulture has always played a central role here. In fact, written references trace back to the Renaissance period with Pope Leo X noting the high quality of wines made from grapes in the region.
The vast expanse of Lake Garda provides the area with a Mediterranean-like climate, resulting in an incredible variety of agriculture –orange and lemon trees along with olives and capers dot the countryside, in addition to the vineyards. The region’s glacial deposits of silty morainic soil are especially suitable for growing grapes, and particularly for today’s featured wine — a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
You may not be familiar with the Sansonina Winery; however, you’ve probably heard of the Zenato family — superstar producers of Valpolicella Ripasso and Amarone. In the mid-1990s, Carla Prospero-Zenato and her daughter, Nadia Zenato, purchased property along the southern shores of Lake Garda in the Lugana DOC — a region famous for white wine production. They established the Sansonina winery there with the goal of producing powerful, yet elegant reds in the white wine-centric area. I believe they have succeeded magnificently.
93 Points - James Suckling
The real excitement starts when you get this in your glass. A quick swirl opens up layers of blueberry and dark cherry on the nose and leads to an insanely plush palate of dark red and blue fruit — we’re talking velvety smooth! I’m thoroughly charmed by the Amarone and Ripasso-like nuance of this wine — especially remarkable from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc! Although it’s not as rich as an Amarone or Ripasso, the Evaluna certainly shows its direct lineage from the winemaking style of the Zenato family.
This review from James Suckling sums it up very nicely:
93 Points: James Suckling – November 2019
“This shows real energy and focus from the get-go, showing fascinating aromas of blueberry tea, citrus and lavender with herb undertones. Medium to full body, loads of sweet-and-sour character and a very tangy and fruity finish. A fun, exciting wine. Drink now.” (93 pts.)
A Baby Super Amarone? I confess, we recently coined that phrase while tasting a sample of the Evaluna with our supplier. After the first swirl and sip, I remarked, “Wow, that’s like a baby Amarone!” One of the staff then observed, “Yes, but it’s made with grapes that would be in a Super Tuscan.” Then we all agreed that it’s a ‘Baby Amarone’!
2017 Evaluna Cabernet del Garda DOC
Lake Garda, Veneto, Italy
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