ARPEPE 'Sassella Rocce Rosse' Riserva Valtellina Superiore 2016

AREPEPE is a family of winegrowers and, for over 150 years, has been passionately devoted to the cultivation of Nebbiolo. This is a rare grape variety that, over the centuries, has adapted to the Valtellina, a land like no other, where everything is still done by hand.

ARPEPE is convinced that the outstanding qualities of Nebbiolo from the Alps means it is more than worthy of its place of honor on the international market of fine wines. Without this worldwide acknowledgement, this age-old activity would simply not be economically sustainable for it rejects any idea of modern mass-production. 

100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) sourced from the Sassella subzone, 400-500 meters elevation. Maceration for 69 days in 50-hectoliter wooden vats, aged 39 months in cask, refined three years in bottle.

"The Ar. Pe. Pe. 2016 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Rocce Rosse is initially understated with timid primary fruit, blood orange and apricot. There is a pretty spiciness as well, with dried cinnamon stick, nutmeg and tanned leather. The wine needs time, and if you come back to the glass after a little pause, it sings with greater intensity and balance. This is a release of 25,302 bottles that sees 97 days on the skins and 34 months of wood and cement aging." - 96 Points, Wine Advocate

"Very flowery on the nose, with fresh violets, roses, red currants, bright fruitiness, licorice and stony minerality. The attack is soft, with a medium body, brilliant crisp acidity and tight yet ripe tannins soaked in fruit. Not an easy wine, more elegant than powerful. It needs time to develop more complexity. Drinkable now, but best from 2026." - 96 Points, James Suckling

Producer: Arpepe

Country: Italy

Region: Lombardy

Varietal: Nebbiolo 

Appellation: Valtellina Superiore 

Vintage: 2016

Size: 750ml