Product information

Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Grumello Rocca de Piro 2015

Nebbiolo from Grumello, Valtellina, Lombardy, Italy

$86

$82ea in any 3+
$78ea in any 6+
Closure: Cork
Grumello is to the east of Sondrio on the opposite side to Sassella making for a fascinating comparison in site!

Description

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.

Drink your Sassella Stella Retica first, then the Inferno Fiamme Antiche, and, follow up with this.

We have good stocks arriving December. You can order now to guarantee your allocation.

“More into the amaro perfume, sour cherry and fresh strawberry. Medium-bodied, dry tannin with fair old grip and grain, earthy and tangy orange acidity, almost furry on the finish, and distinct herbal twang in the aftertaste. Pulls quite dry, with ringing acidity and a low-compromise nature, but very good. I’d give this plenty of time to mellow.”

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Check out all of the wines by Ar.Pe.Pe

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

The Valtellina Superiore range from Ar.pe.pe is more immediately approachable than the Riserva range (despite the Riservas being some 6 years older). The Riservas just require more time in the glass to open up. Indeed they are often better on the second or third day after opening.

Check out all of Ar.Pe.Pe’s Wines

For the first time, I had the pleasure of devouring a few wines from Ar.pe.pe earlier this year. These are vital, alive wines of grace and sophistication. Drinking them over 2-3 days revealed new, aromas and flavours with every sniff and mouthful.

Chiavennasca is a synonym for Nebbiolo. The name used in Valtellina for the variety.

From the Winery

Castel Grumello, the property of the De Piro family in the fourteenth century, is a twin fortress, consisting of two separate complexes once joined by walls, overlooking the hill with Nebbiolo from the Alps vineyards.

It gives its name to this wine, which is made with grapes from the two company-owned vineyards in the Grumello area. In years when low levels of tannins suggest brief ageing in large barrels, the Valtellina Superiore Grumello Rocca De Piro DOCG is always surprising for the speed with which it becomes ready to drink. And from the moment it makes its debut on the table, it is always on the spot: ready to drink, but also perfect for ageing with the reserves in the cellar.

Vineyard with grass – South Exposure – Altitude 350/500 m
Harvest: October 13th – Yield 45 hl / ha
Maceration: 110 days in wooden vats 50 hl
Ageing: 18 months in big barrels 50 HL, concrete, bottle
Released from February 2018
Alcohol: 13% vol
Serve at 15°C in a Nebbiolo glass

About Ar.Pe.Pe

In 1984, Arturo Pelizzatti Perego, bolstered by the experience gained in his father’s and grandfather’s firm, decided to create ARPEPE. His aim was to realize the full potential of the unique Valtellina terroir with all the pride and determination required for such an ambitious goal. To do so, Arturo started producing long-ageing Nebbiolo wines according to the rules of the oldest traditions.

The two video’s with Isabella and then of the 2017 Vintage will give you a sense of the extreme environment and dedication taken to make these wines. Beyond that just try them!

Today, Isabella (winemaker), Emanuele and Guido Pelizzatti Perego continue their father’s work as the fifth generation of winemakers and growers. In just a few years, thanks to careful technological innovations and the choice of a young and passionate team, Arturo’s dream has come true: his rare wines are once again a major point of reference on the national and international wine scene.

About Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo, pronounced NEH-bee-oh-low, is such a unique variety. The name is derived from the Italian word Nebbia meaning fog. Two theories for the name exist. The first that it refers to the fog that the vineyards of the Langhe are often immersed in. Second that the natural bloom that covers the grapes gives them a foggy appearance. Given the latter applies to most red grapes I prefer the former! There are 4 main clones of which Nebbiolo Lampia dominates over  Nebbiolo Michet, Rosé (now proven to be a different variety), and, Bolla.

Where is it grown?

Southern central and north Piemonte: Langhe including Verduno, Roero, Ast, Carema, Biella, Novara and Vercelli. It is also grown in the lower parts of the Valle d’Aosta where it is known as Picotendroi, and, Valtellina in Lombardy where it is known as Chiavennasca, among others.

What does it taste like?

The ultimate case of not judging a book by its cover, Nebbiolo, at first appears pale in colour, old wines can have the appearance of rusty tap water.

Then you smell it! The aroma of most red wines is dominated by fruit characters. In contrast, Nebbiolo’s aroma is typically a mix of complex secondary aromas, earthy, tarry, spice, rose, citrus peel, woody herbs like rosemary, liquorice, phenol, dark chocolate, tobacco, truffles, leather, and, dark cherry fruit, often more evident on the palate. You’ll see this difference immediately by comparing it two the other two main Piedmontese varieties Barbera and Dolcetto.

Good Nebbiolo has a core of fruit running the length of your tongue, along with layers of those same secondary characters. Nebbiolo’s grape tannins give it a distinct texture, that for those who have not tried it before can seem hard, and, unyielding. Look for the quality and depth of tannin.

Achieving well balance tannin, alcohol, and, acidity makes for great Nebbiolo.

More than most other Italian wines, Nebbiolo, demands food to be at it’s best. A little fat and salt, enhance the texture and bring out the flavours.

Nebbiolo from Valtellina tends to be more feminine, tannin management more critical during the winemaking process. Well managed vineyards produce wines with a great core of vibrant fruit and fine texture.

The Ar.Pe.Pe Vintages

Given the extreme nature of the vineyards and the climate in Valtellina, all wines are not made every year. It appears that when the DOCG Riservas are made no DOCG Superiore is made. There are years when neither DOCG is made and only the DOC Rosso di Valtellina is produced.

The Vintage chart below shows just how long we have to wait between vintages of Superiore and Riserva! The jump from 2009 to 2013 for Riservas will be a tough one to last out!

Click to enlarge

Where in the World is Ar.Pe.Pe?

Piedmont is not the only Italian region to produce Nebbiolo! Valtellina Superiore is a thin horizontal strip in the very north of Italy above Milan.

Ar.Pe.Pe’s vineyards cover the Sassella, Grumello and Inferno sub-regions. Sondrio, Valtellina’s largest town is in the middle, Sassella the orange area to the left, Grumello the lime to the right and Inferno the burnt red just past Grumello.

Click to Enlarge
94 Points

More into the amaro perfume, sour cherry and fresh strawberry. Medium-bodied, dry tannin with fair old grip and grain, earthy and tangy orange acidity, almost furry on the finish, and distinct herbal twang in the aftertaste. Pulls quite dry, with ringing acidity and a low-compromise nature, but very good. I’d give this plenty of time to mellow.

Gary Walsh

Where in the world does the magic happen?

Arpepe, Via del Buon Consiglio, Sondrio, Province of Sondrio, Italy

Grumello
Valtellina
Lombardy
Italy