Arpepe Sassella Rocce Rosse Riserva 2007 Valtellina Superiore DOCG 1.5L

98 pts Wine Enthusiast "Intoxicating scents of smoke, flint, dried mountain herb and woodland berry are just some of the multifaceted aromas you'll find in this dazzling Nebbiolo. It's extremely elegant, with a weightless intensity, delivering Marasca cherry, crushed strawberry, white pepper and tobacco framed by fine tannins. Vibrant acidity gives it impeccable balance, while a flinty mineral vein energizes the finish. Some may find this almost too ethereal while lovers of finesse, complexity and balance will be enchanted. Drink through 2027." Kerin OKeefe Tucked in between the Orobic and Retic Alps just south of the Italian-Swiss border, youll find the terraced vineyards of ARPEPE. At the helm of this storied estate, located in the Grumello subzone of Valtellina in Lombardy, is the fifth generation of the Pelizzatti Perego family. The roots of this blue-chip estate go back to the 1860s, when the current generations great-great-grandfather Giovanni founded a successful winery in the area, then known only as Pelizzatti. Over 150 years of history have passed since then, including the dark days of the 1970s during which the current generations grandfather fell ill, and the family was forced to sell the Pelizzatti brand along with some of their vineyards. The more recent history of the estate is an almost deus-ex-machina turn of events: the family re-founded their company under the ARPEPE label in 1984, got back many of their proprietary vineyards from renters, and were able to reclaim their cellar in Grumello. Today, ARPEPE is widely recognized as the single best producer in the appellation (as well as a benchmark producer of Nebbiolo in general).