As the host of the August TAA on Wine Spectator, I chose a perennial favorite of mine, the Zenato Ripassa. I popped the cork on this and decanted it for one hour (a good move), and served it with a rack of lamb.

Zenato 2001 Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore (Veneto, $18)

Deep, dark ruby in color. Initially the nose hits you like a bowl of chocolate-covered cherries. Notes of raisin and a hint of rum also make an appearance. Medium-bodied with bright, high-toned cherry fruit dominate the palate. It seems like it is a brighter wine than the 2000 was at release. A wonderful match to the rack of lamb.

On the second day, the wine had smoothed out, with the fruit showing a little more earth and iron notes. Still absolutely delcious. 91 points.

In short, this is a fantastic wine - I had a bottle of the 2000 a few weeks ago, and while it showed some volatile acidity (which blew off with decanting), it was still very good. I'm always happy to own 1/2 case of this wine every year.

The 2001 is definitely a step above the previous efforts.

I took these notes 3 weeks ago, but was waiting to post them until the August TAA:

Initially closed, these notes are taken 3 hours after opening, no decanting…

Nose: Amarone. Black cherry, blackberry – overripe. Charred wood.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied. Long finish, fine tannin.

Taste: Similar to nose. Blackberry, blueberry (esp on finish). Red and black cherry. Again, very berry-y on the long finish.

I had this next to a 2000 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre, and, while I initially preferred the Allegrini, after 3 hours of air, I preferred this. Sad that this has broken the $20 mark, but I still think this baby Amarone is more than worth the price of admission. 90.

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Had this a couple times over the past week or so:

Not decanted. Served in Spieglau Magnum Bordeaux stems. Dark ruby/black colour; almost opaque. Fat, thick, slow legs. Aromas of black plums, earth, cherries, chocolate, raisins, and violets. Full-bodied, nicely balanced, showing blackberries, black plums, cherries, chocolate, earth, and raisins on the palate. Long, rich finish, ~40-45s with black fruits. Anotherwinner from Zenato. Drink over the next couple years. Consistent notes on 2nd night. 90 points (08/19/2004).

Then:

Served at an offline with Steve8 and the TWC. Dark garnet/black colour. Aromas of coffee, raisins, blackberry, and vanilla. Full-bodied with raisins, coffee, toffee, blackberry, and black licorice. Moderate-long finish, ~35-40s. 90 points (08/24/2004).

Dark ruby almost opaque colour. Aromas of black cherry, black licorice, black plums, roasted coffee beans, earth, and dark chocolate. Not as lush on the palate as previous bottles, but does show black fruit, coffee. Moderate finish, ~25-30s. 87 points (09/10/2004).

Dark ruby/black colour to a violet/purple rim. Aromas of black cherries, violet, earth, black licorice, plums, and espresso. Medium-full bodied with espresso, black cherry, black licorice, and plums. Moderate-long finish, ~35-40s with black fruits. 90 points (10/17/2004).

I have had this several times since JT's original TN and have enjoyed it each time. I'd give it a range of 88-91TJ points based on the times I have sipped this stuff.

Yup, it's good stuff. I've got six more bottles waiting for me to pick up tonight.

Picke up a bottle of this today to go with some lamb chops tomorrow, based on ya'll's notes. Thanks.

Dark ruby/black colour. Aromas of black cherry, black plums, raisins, violets, black licorice, dark chocolate. Full-bodied with replays from nose and a hint of spice. Moderate finish, ~30-35s with black fruit and flowers. 89 points (12/21/2004).

Dark ruby/black colour; opaque. Aromas of raisins, chocolate, coffee, black licorice, black plums, spice. Full-bodied, very pretty wine, with minerals, coffee, raisins, black plums, black licorice. Long finish, 45-50s, with black fruit, black licorice, minerals. Best bottle yet. 90 points (04/10/2005).

Opened a bottle of this tonight - a little bit of air helped as pretty notes of cherries, iron, earth a little bit of game on the finish. One of my best bottles yet. 91 points.

This wine is still going strong. We had it last night with dinner. I decanted it to the presence of crystals in the neck when I opened it. Improved significantly with air. Dark almost brooding flavors and a medium length finish.