2015 Valtellina Superiore, Grumello Rocca de Piro, Riserva, Arpepe, Lombardy, Italy
Critics reviews
Drink 2020-2025
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Aug 2019)
Drink 2019-2028
jancisrobinson.com (Jun 2019)
Fruit for this wine comes from the high altitudes of the Rhaetian Alps, where decomposed granite soils make for a dark contrast against brilliant white ice and snow falls. The Ar. Pe. Pe. 2015 Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo Grumello Rocca de Piro reveals a long succession of dried raspberry, cassis, pressed violets, iron ore and crushed stone. This wine promises to make a terrific pairing with a simple plate of thinly sliced Valtellina bresaola. Some 30,000 bottles were made.
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Feb 2021)
About this WINE
Arpepe
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo is the grape behind the Barolo and Barbaresco wines and is hardly ever seen outside the confines of Piedmont. It takes its name from "nebbia" which is Italian for fog, a frequent phenomenon in the region.
A notoriously pernickety grape, it requires sheltered south-facing sites and performs best on the well-drained calcareous marls to the north and south of Alba in the DOCG zones of Barbaresco and Barolo.
Langhe Nebbiolo is effectively the ‘second wine’ of Piedmont’s great Barolo & Barbarescos. This DOC is the only way Langhe producers can declassify their Barolo or Barbaresco fruit or wines to make an early-drinking style. Unlike Nebbiolo d’Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo can be cut with 15% other red indigenous varieties, such as Barbera or Dolcetto.
Nebbiolo flowers early and ripens late, so a long hang time, producing high levels of sugar, acidity and tannins; the challenge being to harvest the fruit with these three elements ripe and in balance. The best Barolos and Barbarescos are perfumed with aromas of tar, rose, mint, chocolate, liquorice and truffles. They age brilliantly and the very best need ten years to show at their best.
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Description
The 2015 Valtellina Superiore Grumello Riserva Rocca del Piro shows the more lifted, perfumed side of Valtellina Nebbiolo. Sweet floral and savory notes abound in a wiry, lithe wine. Dried cherry, tobacco, worn-in leather and mint all develop in the glass, but there is not a ton of fruit. I would prefer to drink the 2015 sooner rather than later, as the flavors are already a bit dried out. Then again, these wines can hold on for many years.
Drink 2020-2025
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Aug 2019)
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