2017 L'Arco ‘Zoe' Recioto Veronese IGT

Veneto, Italy

An incredibly special wine created after winemaker/owner Luca Fedrigo (formerly of Quintarelli) had his daughter Zoe. Made of 90% Recioto and 10% Amarone from the best clusters of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes that are painstakingly dried on straw mats. Ridiculous complex, this has rich notes of cherry jam, smoke, strawberry compote, dried fig and spice, all with a silky texture and an ethereal finish.

94 points, Vinous. "The 2017 Recioto della Valpolicella is surprisingly savory in the glass, with cocoa-tinged dried cherries and flowers complemented by hints of dusty cedar and spice. This is velvety in texture yet energized by zesty acidity, which enlivens its wild berry fruits as a tangerine note adds contrast towards the close. It finishes long yet fresh, leaving balsam tones, licorice and clove that seems to linger for up to a minute. While a sweet wine by definition at 70g/L of residual sugar, the 2017 comes across as so vibrant and palatable that it's almost too easy to drink. The wonders of Recioto."