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🇮🇹Bravo Isabella!👏🏻
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Pettirosso MAGNUM 2016
Nebbiolo | Sassella, Lombardy
The Robin has landed! Ar.Pe.Pe's blended Superiore 50% bold Grumello + 50% fine, delicate, mineral Sassella! The Pettirosso is a 50:50 blend of Grumello and Sassella fruit. Boldness coming from Grumello and delicacy with fine, mineral traits from Sassella. Try the Superiores from each of the sub-regions and you'll see these characters. The blend works beautifully. The wine has impressive depth and length. What really strikes me is the harmony. The wines are so together. Excellent acid is balance
$158
$151ea in any 3+
$144ea in any 6+
🇮🇹Bravo Isabella!👏🏻
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Pettirosso 2017
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Grumello
The Robin has landed! Ar.Pe.Pe's blended Superiore 50% bold Grumello + 50% fine, delicate, mineral Sassella! The Pettirosso is a 50:50 blend of Grumello and Sassella fruit. Boldness coming from Grumello and delicacy with fine, mineral traits from Sassella. Try the Superiores from each of the sub-regions and you'll see these characters. The blend works beautifully.
Such fun and fine wines. The 2017 Pettirosso comes through with delicate red fruits, sophisticated tannins, thirst quenching acid
$75
$72ea in any 3+
$69ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Pettirosso 2019
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Grumello
The Robin has landed! The Pettirosso is a 50:50 blend of Grumello and Sassella fruit. Boldness coming from Grumello and delicacy with fine, mineral traits from Sassella. Try the Superiores from each of the sub-regions and you’ll see these characters. The blend works beautifully. The 2019 had an epic 109 day extended maceration!
An excellent stepwise build in complexity depth and length.
The development from a couple of extra years shows. A slight build in structure still offers a very fine m
$93
$89ea in any 3+
$85ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Inferno Fiamme Antiche 2019
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Inferno
Crystal clear with a more savoury flavour profile. As it opens in the glass it comes together beautifully!
As is always the case a little bolder richer and more immediate generosity here in the context of Valtellina than the Sassella. A great contrast to the Sassella with a rounder mid-palate. A little more grip offers an energy to that mid-palate fruit that continues to drive through. Just a little lift adds intrigue and that alpine earthiness plays around the edge. Another excellent Fiamme
$108
$103ea in any 3+
$98ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Rosso di Valtellina 2021
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Grumello
Ripping Rosso: full, vital and juicy. Super fine plush texture with refreshing balanced acid. Mid weight with fresh red fruits playing with a perfume of roses, woody herbs and that alpine note.
Just so incredibly drinkable and together.
Wonderful harmony.
.
$65
$62ea in any 3+
$59ea in any 6+
Neb from the North!
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Inferno Fiamme Antiche 2017
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Inferno
Crystal clear with a more savoury flavour profile. As it opens in the glass it comes together beautifully! This too is very good. Crystal clear with a more savoury flavour profile. Took a bit longer for this to open up. As it did it came together beautifully, the tannins have a little more presence here. The flowers are at play around the edges. The rounder mid-palate differentiates Sassella from Inferno. It’s a little about celebrating the differences once again. As always ArPePe offer up e
$94
$90ea in any 3+
$86ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Grumello Rocca de Piro 2017
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Grumello
Grumello is to the east of Sondrio on the opposite side to Sassella making for a fascinating comparison in site! Of the three Superiores this looks the darkest, the tannins sit more aggressively, yet, not overly so. With a plate of food you'd not notice. A little shorter than the other Superiores. The acid appears higher. Another complex offering from Ar.Pe.Pe. A little disjointed at the moment. It is the wine I am least certain of in term of it's evolution as it ages.
$94
$90ea in any 3+
$86ea in any 6+
🇮🇹Bravo Isabella!👏🏻
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Sassella Stella Retica MAGNUM 2017
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Italy
As with the 2015 I found myself not really wanting to write tasting notes simply wanting to devour the glass! Although it was line ball between the 2015 Inferno and Sassella I always lent toward the Sassella as a personal preference. ArPePe have delivered a cracker. Sassella typically produces the most elegant wines of the three communes with Inferno next and Grumello the boldest.
The weight of the Sassella is on par with the Inferno this year. This has excellent shape on palate. A nice step
$215
$205ea in any 3+
$195ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Riserva Grumello Buon Consiglio 2016
Chiavennasca | Valtellina, Grumello
Beautifully composed, flowing and elegant for a Grumello a commune that can show a little more overt grunt in the context of Valtellina. While there is a rounder mid palate the delicacy entrances. Incredibly layered and fine. The fruit marries woody herbs, spice tea and beyond with a blood orange feel. Long though not quite the length of the Sant’Antonio. Fine drinking to be had here.
Very fine, pure, ultra-mineral expression of Nebbiolo here. Strawberry, raspberry, spice, fennel, min
$182
$175ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Grumello Rocca de Piro 2019
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Grumello
Grumello is to the east of Sondrio on the opposite side to Sassella making for a fascinating comparison in site! Grumello is to the east of Sondrio on the opposite side to Sassella making for a fascinating comparison in site!
This is where the largest strides have been made.
We’ve seen both of the Grumello Riservas priced at the same point now. Whatever is happening in the vineyard or winery to make that happen is translating into this Superiore (ArPePe makes either Superiores or Riservas in
$108
$103ea in any 3+
$98ea in any 6+
🇮🇹Bravo Isabella!👏🏻
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Sassella Stella Retica 2019
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Italy
As with the 2015 & 2017 I found myself not really wanting to write tasting notes simply wanting to devour the glass!
Sassella typically produces the most elegant wines of the three communes with Inferno next and Grumello the boldest.
Another superb Sassella. Smoking wine. Everything is here and in all the right places. Elegance and sophistication caressing long fine tannins. Seamless harmony. Energy and vitality in a very complete wine. Line and length with a long vertical palate. A be
$108
$103ea in any 3+
$98ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Riserva Inferno Sesto Canto 2013
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Italy
The first release of the Sesto Canto since 2009 & it's Amazing! As you shift from the Superiore level to the 2013 Riservas, the maceration period drops from over 100 days to around 70 days. The intensity of fruit goes up a notch and the tannins sit prouder in the wine. The sophistication of the mouthfeel is impressive. As with the Superiore wines the complexity and harmony are there in abundance and lift to new levels. These wines really require time in the glass to reveal their best. Drinking a
$155
$150ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Nuova Regina 2016
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Italy
The name has changed from Vigna Regina to Nuova Regina the wine is the same ... Delicious! Sassella is typically the most elegant of the Communes made by Ar.Pe.Pe. The Nuova Regina is clearly the most sophisticated of the 2016 Riserva crop.
The perfume here ramps up a notch, delicacy and intrigue with underlying power all be it in a mid-weight wine. Constantly changing and evolving with each sniff. The flow, shape and mouthfeel are impeccable. Vibrant red fruit with woody herbs tea, blood ora
$182
$175ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Riserva Grumello Sant’Antonio 2016
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Grumello
Once again my preferred Grumello from Ar.Pe.Pe. A build in perceived fruit weight length and depth over the Bon Consiglio with immediate generosity make for superb drinking out of the gate. Comparing this to the 2009 consumed a couple of weeks ago I foresee this building in complexity from an already complex starting point and achieving the incredible transparency of the 2009 as it moves into the next stage of development. Although it will be hard to keep your hands off it!
The church of
$182
$175ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Rocce Rosse 2016
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Italy
The Rocce Rosse has a darker feel. Currently, I perceive it as a little richer with an extra squirt of tannin to hold it. Dark spiced, long firm yet fine tannins. Like the Nuova Regina and Sant’Antonio it lingers for some time. Again there is real beauty here. It unfolds in the glass revealing layer after layer. Incredible, complete wine of exceptional balance. It is unfair to separate the two Sassella, they are both stunning. Drinking the pair together on any given night over the next 1
$182
$175ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Ultima Raggi 2016
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Italy
Late harvest quasi sforzato play here. There’s fun to be had here. ArPePe play in between a full-blown sforzato and the rest of their Riserva range makes for a fun balance. Completely dry, it introduces a level of richness and extra layer of tannin. Gary's note captures it well.
Harvest is November 10th, because they leave the grapes to dry out and shrivel a little. It’s from the highest part of Sassella, sitting at 600m above sea level.
Cherry, blackberry, plum, dried mint,
$182
$175ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
Pinot-esque!!
Sandro Fay Valgella Valtellina Superiore Riserva Carteria 2016
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Italy
Grace under pressure. The purity, line & length, and, expression of this wine is exceptional. Where the 2016 Costa Bassa drinks so beautifully out of the gate. 2016 Carteria steps up the depth, length and layering, this will be superb. Brooding and a little darker than the Costa Bassa, it's not just depth of flavour, but depth of tannin that shine. A little patience will yiled a treasure! The textures, harmony and pleasure Sandro Fay are dishing up is exceptional. This will undoubtedly hit the
$119
$114ea in any 3+
$109ea in any 6+
Boffalora ‘Pietrisco’ Nebbiolo Valtellina Superiore 2017
Red Blend | Sassella, Italy
The wines of Valtellina have such incredible appeal with their elegance and perfume. Cracking Neb! Fresh and vibrant with loads of energy. There's a real purity to it with lovely sour cherries. It has excellent grape tannins to caress your tongue. The tannins offer front mid-palate attack in a very good way. Lovely perfume and lift to this. It's at least of comparable quality to the Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore's and for mine sits between their Inferno 'Fiame Antiche' and Sassella 'Stella Retic
$88
$84ea in any 3+
$80ea in any 6+
Sandro Fay Valtellina Superiore Costa Bassa 2020
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Italy
Yet another successful 'Costa Bassa' from Fay! Thoughts read pretty much the same as for the delicious 2019. Loads of pleasure here, the harmony, and, the inviting, drink me, nature of the wine is just the beginning. It really has everything in all the right places.
Excellent. Got that whole alpine thing going on. Excellent weight and shape to it. Playful dusty chalky slightly chewy tannins with fine boned acid. Sour cherry with licorice a hint of smoke, resinous. A thirst quencher with epic
$64
$61ea in any 3+
$58ea in any 6+
Maria Luisa Marchetti Valtellina Superiore ‘Sant’Eufermia’ 2017
Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Italy
Loads of fun to be had here. The acid balance with the fruit weight is about right. Energy here with vibrant red fruit, sour cherries, a little of that alpine spice. Heston Blumenthal once did mince tarts that were topped with sugar mixed with ground pine needles and it worked. There’s a little of that sitting here in the background. The tannins aren’t quite as polished as those in the wines of Fay or Ar.Pe.Pe. Slightly drying on the mid palate. A little salami or a plate of something roaste
$67
$64ea in any 3+
$61ea in any 6+
Rainoldi ‘Cuvée Maria Vittoria’ Nebbiolo Rosé Nature 2016
Blend | Valtellina, Inferno
First released in 1980! Rainoldi's top sparkling 'Cuvée Maria Vittoria' is a 0 dose blend of Chiavennasca 92% A.K.A Nebbiolo, Pignola 4%, Rossola 4%.
The base sparkling wine rests in steel tanks until the spring following the harvest. After the tirage or second fermentation, the wine is aged in bottle for at least 60 months.
Vineyards in the municipalities of Ponte in Valtellina and Teglio at 500-730m above sea level
NOTE on the 2018 Brut Rosé
Cracking 'Metodo Classico' fizz from V
$137
$130ea in any 3+
$123ea in any 6+
Rainoldi Nebbiolo Brut Rosé 2018
Rosé | Valtellina, Inferno
First released in 1980! Cracking 'Metodo Classico' fizz from Valtellina!
I've had some solid sparkling Nebbiolo from Piedmont before.
None quite like this!
When this was poured for me I had no expectations and ended up having a WOW! moment.
Made from Chiavennasca 92% A.K.A Nebbiolo, Pignola 4%, Rossola 4%.
Excellent texture and mousse, light salmon colour with a red fruit down the raspberry line, superb acid, balancing alow dose. Very sophisticated. A play of light woody herbs, rose, fa
$95
$90ea in any 3+
$85ea in any 6+
Cantine Garrone Cà’ d’Maté 2018
Red Blend | Valli Ossolane, Italy
Neb with a splash of Croatina from the FAR NORTH Divine perfume, beautifully weighted and poised. Exceptional balance and freshness, with a core of red and dark fruit that runs long with excellent mid-palate weight. Earth, savoury, incredibly layered.
Delicious wine. Loads going on here. Amazing harmony and sophistication. Showing beautifully straight out of the gate with the help of a % of the generous, plush Croatina. Fun drinking!
$77
$73ea in any 3+
$69ea in any 6+
Cantine Garrone Prünent 2018
Red Blend | Valli Ossolane, Italy
Neb from the FAR NORTH ... Stylistically think the more ethereal communes of Valtellina! Brooding and darker than the Ca d’Mate with a build in structure. A little Austere, yet you can see there is much to come with time in bottle. Openning in the glass to reveal woody herbs, fresh sour cherry and complexities beyond.
Such a different balance point to Barolo & Barbaresco. 13.5% sees vibrant fruit with layered dusty ripe tannins, whereas Barolo and Barbaresco need 14.5% for the same. En
$105
$100ea in any 3+
$95ea in any 6+
Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’ Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2017
Nebbiolo | Italy, Alto Piemonte
Jesus wept on the Bones of Saint Gratto! The very blood of Christ!
As you step through the range each wine raises the bar. The first two Riservas already shows great harmony.
The Osso San Grato steps it up again. As with the 2016 the acid-tannin complex is superb, even long with an extra layer over the San Francesco.
As it opens in the glass it reveals a staggering array of perfumes and flavours. Each sniff and taste reveals another.
Hard not to devour now, Ridgey assures me these wi
$265
$255ea in any 3+
$245ea in any 6+
Antoniolo Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2017
Nebbiolo | Italy, Alto Piemonte
The Gattinara Riserva has an entrancing set of aromas and flavours, dark fruits, woody herbs, a little savoury and truffly with a top note perfume to round it out. Fresh yet beautifully developed, flowing with generous fruit of a weightless feel. The mouthfeel has a vitalising grip that sits beautifully with juicy, fine acid. Fantastic drinking!
It feels like the 2016 with a little extra pop of energy!
That my friends is the 3-peat! Antoniolo's Gattinaras from 2015, 2016 & 2017 are
$152
$145ea in any 3+
$138ea in any 6+
Antoniolo ‘San Francesco’ Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2017
Nebbiolo | Italy, Alto Piemonte
The first time we’ve managed to squeeze out an allocation of ‘San Francesco’ Saint Francesco. We are very happy!
Stepping up to the two single vineyards the depth and length build. Darker and brooding, a slight reductive note washes away to reveal a savoury, truffled layer over those woody herbs. Slatey with mineral acids, sitting marginally prouder than in the other 2 Riservas and tannins of balanced grip. Finishing with lingering fruit.
Given a decade the acid resolves this will
$228
$218ea in any 3+
$208ea in any 6+
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