ARPEPE Valtellina Superiore Grumello Rocca De Piro 2022

Ar.Pe.Pe. and the Pelizzatti family have worked the terraced vineyards of Valtellina since 1860, with holdings across the region's named subzones. This Superiore comes from Grumello, the site below Castel Grumello on rocky ground in the mountains above Sondrio. The granite-origin soils are stony and free-draining, the local word grumel describing the rocky terrain, and they stress the Nebbiolo vines into producing concentrated, perfumed fruit. The alpine altitude and wide diurnal range preserve the high acidity and floral aromatics central to the variety. The wine ages eighteen months in large wooden vats and barrels, a slow maturation that rounds Nebbiolo's firm tannins through gentle oxygen exchange while protecting the fresh red fruit and perfume. The colour is pale, translucent garnet. The nose is fragrant, with red cherry, redcurrant and dried rose moving into tobacco, leather and a savoury, earthy mineral note. The palate is medium-bodied and finely structured, with bright acidity and elegant, drying tannins that carry a long finish. It drinks well now and will develop further over several years. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted. It pairs with game and earthy dishes.