A surprisingly, or perhaps unsurprisingly, good Cabernet blend from the well-known Amarone and Ripasso producer, Zenato…
We thoroughly enjoyed this Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend, weighted on the Cabernet Sauvignon side, from Sansonina, the second label of the well-known Northern Italian producer, Zenato.
A well-balanced, complex offering, and the tannins, although drying, did not come across as offensive. We particularly appreciated the savoury and sour cherry notes, as well as the sour finish. As a bonus, the label, with a hint of texture, and the foil label are a gorgeous shade of blue.
This wine paired exceptionally well with a tomato, red onion, and feta cheese pizza on a thin whole wheat crust. Unsurprisingly, it also paired nicely with an assortment of Italian cheeses, most notably Parmesan. At $40 CAD per bottle, we found it a little on the pricey side, given the numerous offerings available at the liquor store, some of which are exceptional, at this price point. Saying that, we’d be open to purchasing another bottle, so we could cellar it for a few more years to see how it evolves.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 89/100
Value: 2/5
The Bottle Details…
Name: Evaluna
Vintage: 2015
Producer: Sansonina
Region/Country: Garda, Italy
Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) and Cabernet Franc (35%)
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Consumed: At home
Recommended By: Receive it as part of the Wine Collective Premium Package
Cost: $40 CAD
Bottle Presentation: A clean, artistic, distinctive label, with a beautiful shade of blue, especially in natural t light, and a touch of texture.
The Tasting Details…
Appearance: Medium-dark purple-ruby.
Nose: Medium-to-pronounced nose, with raspberries, blackberries, currants, anise, and a touch of leather.
Taste: A dry, medium-bodied red blend, with noticeable, drying tannins and a high level of acidity. We detected sour cherries, earth, grilled meat, anise, and some savoury (rosemary) notes.
Finish: A medium finish, with sour cherries and earthy notes.