2013 ArPePe Sassella Nuova Regina Riserva (750ml)

"ArPePe represents the essence of tradition in Valtellina. Long fermentations and lengthy aging in cask gently coax the essence of each site in this range. The wines are delicate, powerful and full of nuance at the same, in the way only Nebbiolo can be. Readers with classically leaning palates will find so much to admire..." - Antonio Galloni (Vinous)

ArPePe 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.

"A release of about 6,000 bottles, the Ar. Pe. Pe. 2013 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Nuova Regina draws its fruit from terraced vineyards delineated by rocky drywalls. The vines are at least 50 years old and planted in friable metamorphic rock or gneiss shaped by glaciers. This wine is made in a highly traditional manner with extended skin maceration in oak casks, and all the harvest work is done by hand. This is a true beauty with enormous finesse and a deep well of aromatic nuances that center around wild berries, blue flowers and iron ore. The wine is carefully aged with fine and silky tannins. It tastes great, so if you have a bottle you can drink it now or wait longer if that is your pleasure." 95 points - Monica Larner (Wine Advocate, February 2021)