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SKU 977482
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The Ar. Pe. Pe. 2019 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Stella Retica shows a dry aroma of graham cracker or sawdust that takes a minute or two to lift. The bouquet then veers toward a pretty interlude of cassis, forest fruit, or dried blueberry that then segues to chalky tannins that are a little more astringent in the Stella Retica. That extra structure sets this wine up for a pairing with stewed meats with juniper berry and bay leaf. Production is 26,050 bottles.
The Nebbiolo grape varietal is widely understood to be the fruit responsible for Italy's finest aged wines. However, its popularity and reliability as a grape which gives out outstanding flavors and aromas has led it to be planted in many countries around the world, with much success. These purple grapes are distinguishable by the fact that they take on a milky dust as they begin to reach maturity, leading many to claim that this is the reason for their unusual name, which means 'fog' in Italian. Nebbiolo grapes produce wines which have a wide range of beautiful and fascinating flavors, the most common of which are rich, dark and complex, such as violet, truffle, tobacco and prunes. They are generally aged for many years to balance out their characteristics, as their natural tannin levels tend to be very high.
Country
Italy
There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.
Region
Lombardy
The beautiful north westerly wine region of Lombardy in Italy is home to many of the country's most characterful and well respected wines, most of which are grown on the shores of the stunning Lake Garda. The lake itself plays a vitally important part of the region's viticulture, as the climate around the river is cooler than in surrounding areas, thus tempering the heat of the vineyards and allowing the vines which grow there to ripen more slowly. For centuries, Lombardy wines have been considered amongst the finest in Italy, and today, the wine industry of the region is doing very well indeed. With wineries in Lombardy utilizing a successful blend of traditional and modern techniques, they are continually producing wines which express the excellence of the terroir the vines are grown on, and which contain fascinating and unique flavors and aromas.
Appellation
Valtellina
Valtellina is a historic wine region in Italy's alpine Lombardy, stretching along the Adda River valley near the Swiss border. What makes it truly distinctive is its extreme terroir: vineyards cling to impossibly steep, south-facing slopes at elevations reaching 2300 feet, requiring heroic viticulture where much work must be done by hand.
The region is renowned for its elegant Nebbiolo-based wines, though here the grape is called Chiavennasca. Unlike Piedmont's powerful Barrolos, Valtellina's Nebbiolos express a more delicate, alpine character with bright acidity, lighter body, and notes of wild herbs alongside classic rose and tar aromatics. The continental climate—with warm days and cool nights—preserves remarkable freshness.
Five subzones produce Valtellina Superiore DOCG, with Sassella and Inferno being most celebrated. The region also crafts Sforzato, a compelling passito-style wine made from dried grapes. These terraced vineyards represent centuries of winemaking tradition in one of Europe's most challenging—and breathtaking—wine landscapes.
WA94pts
Wine Advocate
The Ar. Pe. Pe. 2019 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Stella Retica shows a dry aroma of graham cracker or sawdust that takes a minute or two to lift. The bouquet then veers toward a pretty interlude of cassis, forest fruit, or dried blueberry that then segues to chalky tannins that are a little more astringent in the Stella Retica. That extra structure sets this wine up for a pairing with stewed meats with juniper berry and bay leaf. Production is 26,050 bottles.
JS92pts
James Suckling
Restrained geraniums, red currants and red pepper on the nose. The attack is quite soft, with a medium body, velvety tannins and tight, crisp acidity. Lacks a bit of complexity at the moment, but good substance for aging and forthright Valtellina character. Drink or hold.
Deceptive in its medium-bodied feel, the 2016 Valtellina Superiore Grumello Riserva Buon Consiglio is beguiling. Sweet floral overtones are immediately…
