ARPEPE VALTELLINA SUPERIORE SASSELLA "STELLA RETICA" 2017

I'm sure you are familiar with Barolo and Barbaresco.  These are wines that show the power of Nebbiolo.  Valtellina, the only DOCG for Nebbiolo outside of Piemonte, is located in Lombardia.  The vineyards are actually carved into the foothills of the Alps.  Many sites are so steep that the Italians call the "heroic" because you have to be extremely brave to tend the vines belayed on a rope. 

While we generally say "arguably" the best producer, there aren't many people that would argue, ARPEPE is the preeminent producer in Valtellina.  His wines are elegant, benchmark expressions of alpine Nebbiolo.

The Arpepe Valtellina Superiore Sassella Stella Retica 2017 is a 100% Nebbiolo wine with a light-to-medium body, showcasing delicate, complex aromas of wild berries, violet, camphor, and mineral notes like granite and tobacco on the nose. The palate offers bright red cherry and strawberry fruit balanced by baking spices, fresh acidity, and tangy minerality, all framed by silky, polished tannins and a long, aromatic finish.

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points

Fragrant and loaded with finesse, this lovely red opens with heady aromas of woodland berry, wild rose and camphor. Lithe and delicious, the elegant palate offers juicy red cherry, crushed strawberry, baking spice and a tangy mineral note suggesting granite. It's well balanced, with polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink through 2032.