2010 ArPePe "Rocca del Piro" Grumello Riserva Valtellina Superiore

SKU #1247430 91 points Vinous

The 2010 Valtellina Superiore Grumello Riserva Rocca del Piro is an excellent choice for drinking in the near and medium-term, as it has a little more mid-palate fleshiness than some of the other wines in the range. At the same time, the 2010 is also less aromatically expressive, while the acidity feels softer and more integrated with the fruit. Sweet red cherry, cherry pit, smoke, dried herbs, tobacco and anise are some of the many notes that meld into the pliant finish. Within the context of traditionally made Valtellina Nebbiolo, the 2010 Rocca del Piro is soft and open-knit in style, both of which add to its considerable appeal. The 2010 is 100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) that spent 8 days on the skins followed by two years in cask and cement. (4/2016)

K&L Notes

Established in 1984 by Arturo Pelizzatti Perego, and now run by Arturo's children Isabella, Emanuele and Guido, ArPePe makes rare wines that are a point of reference for the unique Valtellina terroir, where the famed Nebbiobo grape goes by the name Chiavennasca. New York Times wine writer Eric Asimov recently noted, "...no Italian-accented wine list can be considered in vogue these days without at least one of the excellent Valtellinas from ArPePe..." (03/2014) This particular offering comes from the Grumello zone of the Valtellina Superiore DOCG and is made in a combination of stainless steel in 50hl barrels. Deftly intermingling the high-toned red fruit and rose petals aromas that characterize Nebbiolo with notes of leather, forest floor and tobacco. In the mouth, the wine is fresh and well balanced, with Nebbiolo's characteristic tannins perfectly interwoven with acidity, fruit and spice. Incredible.