6

Lombardy

Valtellina

Valtellina has had a roller-coaster history. But thanks to the dedication of the growers and makers like Ar.Pe.Pe, Boffalora and Sandofay, the region’s wines are on the rise.

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!

Filters & Sorting

Sandro Fay Valgella Valtellina Superiore Riserva Carteria 2016
Pinot-esque!!
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
$135
$130ea in any 3+
$125ea in any 6+
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 levelNOTE on the 2018 Brut Rosé Cracking 'Metodo Classico' fizz from V
$137
$130ea in any 3+
$123ea in any 6+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Sassella Stella Retica MAGNUM 2017
🇮🇹Bravo Isabella!👏🏻
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+