Zymé 60 20 20 Veneto Rosso IGP – Celestino Gaspari – 2021

75 cl

James Suckling: 91 points

Alcohol content: 15% vol.

Grape varieties: Garganega, Trebbiano, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Teroldego, Croatina, Oseleta, Sangiovese, Marzimeno

Vinification:

Before fermentation, the grapes are left to dry on straw mats for several weeks to concentrate. The wine is matured for 24 months in French oak barriques

Tasting note:

The bouquet is highly concentrated, extremely complex, pure chocolate, cinnamon, cigar box and a truckload of sweet berries; on the palate black cherries, herbs, graphite, again lots of cocoa, juicy body with lots of muscle, broad and fierce right into the intoxicating finish.

 

Celestino Gaspari is the founder, owner and visionary behind the renowned Italian winery Zýmē (founded in 2003) in the heart of the Valpolicella region. He is regarded as one of the most exciting and innovative winemakers in Veneto.

Region: Veneto (northern Italy), in the heart of the classic Valpolicella region.

Head office: The state-of-the-art, architecturally spectacular Cantina is situated in San Pietro in Cariano (Province of Verona).

Vineyard areas: The grapes are sourced from various, carefully selected plots in Veneto, in order to perfectly reflect the respective terroirs. 

 

Owner: Celestino Gaspari is the sole founder and Owner of the Zýmē vineyard.

Background: He grew up as a farmer’s son. He later married Maria Rosa Quintarelli, the daughter of the Amarone legend Giuseppe Quintarelli. Gaspari spent 17 years learning the traditional, uncompromising art of winemaking from his father-in-law before setting up his own business, Zýmē.

The name says it all: „Zýmē“ comes from Greek and means „Yeast“ or „fermentation“. It symbolises naturalness, transformation and the origins of wine. 

A blend of tradition and modernity: Gaspari draws on the deeply rooted traditional knowledge of his mentor Quintarelli, but does not simply copy him. He offers a completely fresh take on the classics and is regarded as an „alchemist“ with a penchant for experimentation. 

 

Wine profile: His wines are extreme full of character, full-bodied, complex and profound. They are characterised by a precise structure, density and a highly distinctive style. 

Spirit of innovation: As well as classics such as Amarone and Valpolicella Classico, he creates unconventional IGT wines. One famous example is the Kairos (a complex blend of over 15 different grape varieties) or the distinctive 60 20 20 (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot)