2017 ArPePe Rosso (750ml)

Ar.Pe.Pe stands for Arturo Pelizzatti Perego, who today comprise the team managing this brilliant estate. This is a winery that enjoys cult status in Europe. There's a certain mystique to the wines with the quality to back it up. Ar.Pe.Pe.'s range starts from simple regional Rosso di Valtellina to cru wines from the specific sub-zones Sassella, Grumello, and Inferno. Production is very small at about 5,000 cases a year in total. Their wines could not be more traditional - long, slow macerations (to favor gentle extraction of tannins) followed by extended aging in large botti, some oak, some acacia, others chestnut, and none new. These are wines you should get to know if you like classic Nebbiolo.

"Aromas of dark-skinned berry, eucalyptus, star anise and graphite fill the glass with this mountain Nebbiolo. Fresh and focused, the savory palate doles out ripe Morello cherry, black raspberry, Alpine herb and white pepper before an almost salty mineral close. Polished tannins and bright acidity provide freshness and finesse. Drink through 2027." 92 points - Kerin O’Keefe (Wine Enthusiast, Oct. 2020)