2020 Marenco - Nizza DOCG Riserva Zana (750ml)

Born in the prestigious Nizza subzone of Piedmont, the 2020 Marenco Nizza DOCG Riserva Zana delivers the structural elegance and aromatic precision characteristic of Nebbiolo, elevated by extended barrel contact that smooths its tannic edge while preserving appellation-level acidity.

Nizza DOCG enforces strict harvest timing and aging requirements to ensure balanced ripeness, and this Reserva bottling commits to a minimum three-year maturation window. The additional aging allows the wine’s youthful intensity to soften, integrating primary fruit with secondary savory layers while maintaining the vibrant backbone that collectors track. The 2020 growing season provided steady thermal amplitude, yielding a polished palate texture and concentrated fruit without compromising the earth-driven minerality typical of the zone’s calcareous marl soils.

Tasting notes unfold with crushed red cherry, dried hibiscus, and sweet licorice, followed by subtle cedar, tobacco leaf, and wet stone. On the palate, medium-plus weight supports velvety, well-integrated tannins that guide a long, saline-influenced finish.

This structure makes the Zana highly versatile in the cellar and at the table. It pairs best with slow-braised meats like agnello lesina, handmade pasta varieties including tajarin or agnolotti del plin, wild mushroom or porcini risotto, and hard aged cheeses such as 36-month Parmigiano Reggiano. Decanting for twenty to thirty minutes maximizes aromatic release, and the wine remains drinkable for the next eight to ten years while continuing to gain complexity with proper storage.