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Lombardy
Located near the Italian-Swiss border, beneath the awesome Dolomites, Valtellina is an extreme part of the world to make wine. Helicopters whizz about, plucking bins of fruit from terraced slopes to transport them to wineries. The sloping vineyards are so steep that mechanisation is impossible and everything must be done by hand; the stonemasons who build the walls that hold the vineyards together are absolute heroes!
Showing of wines
Nebbiolo from Inferno, Valtellina
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
Nebbiolo from Grumello, Valtellina
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.
Nebbiolo from Sassella, Valtellina
The 2018 Valtellina Superiore Inferno Riserva Sesto Canto is poised, elegant and exceptionally polished. Brisk acids and beams of supporting tannin give this deceptively mid-weight Riserva tons of energy. The 2018 remains vibrant and super-expressive, perhaps a bit linear, but immensely enjoyable just the same.Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94 Points
Nebbiolo from Sassella, Valtellina
In the bottle with the black label, the Ar. Pe. Pe. 2018 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Rocce Rosse shows a direct, powerful character, with iron ore and rust recalling the iron-rich rocks for which the wine is named. Those sensations are arguably even more pronounced in the Grumello. Here, they feel beautifully integrated into the greater whole, accompanied by the ripe, chewier dark fruit I recognize in this wine. A point of sour cherry sharpens the finish. On a second tasting, it re
Nebbiolo from Grumello, Valtellina
The church of Sant’Antonio a Montagna in Valtellina lies to the east of Rocca De Piro. For centuries, it has protected from on high the vineyards that stretch down along the Risc di Sassina, one of the most generous areas of the Grumello, 450 metres above sea level.Valtellina Superiore Grumello Riserva Sant’Antonio DOCG is brought to life by its long maceration and malolactic fermentation with skin contact. Cuddled and cared for like a child by a generous, resolute mother, it matures
Chiavennasca from Grumello, Valtellina
Part of a trio spanning Grumello, Sassella and Inferno, Valtellina’s own holy trinity, the Ar. Pe. Pe. 2018 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Grumello Buon Consiglio is recognized by its cream-colored label. Dark fruit, iron ore and rusty nail are delivered with extreme elegance and precision. Thanks to the estate’s patient release schedule, the wine is drinking beautifully now, with no reason to delay gratification. I love the finesse and transparency achieved here, along with a charming sweetne
Nebbiolo from Sassella, Valtellina
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 new queen. Cherry, liquorice root, alpine and dried flower perfume with some exotic spice. Medium-bodied, delicious juicy red fruit, fine grained crushed rock tannin, lots of rose oil and a little mandarin peel, with a fine stony finish of impeccable length. Gee, this is a beautiful wine.Antonio Galloni, Vinous 90
Nebbiolo from Sassella, Valtellina
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.The 2018 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Riserva Ultimi Raggi is powerful and intense in its fruit expression, but also mature. Candied fruit, spice, tobacco, leather and dried
Chiavennasca from Grumello, Valtellina
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
Nebbiolo from Sassella, Valtellina
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
Nebbiolo from Grumello, Valtellina
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
Nebbiolo from Sassella, Valtellina
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, spic
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