
Arpepe Sassella Stella Retica
Country: Italy
Region: Lombardia
Grapes: Nebbiolo
Vintage: 2015
The Perego family of Arpepe have grown Nebbiolo - and only Nebbiolo - on the precipitous granite mountains of Valtellina in Lombardy since 1860. The vines cling to the granite up to 700m above sea level, clawing their way through cracks to access the minerals and water that sustain them.
Sassella means rock in the local dialect and this wine comes from the steepest and most shallow part of the Arpepe terraces about 500m up. The result is intensely mineral and earthy while retaining plenty of characteristically fragrant Nebbiolo aromas like rose petal, earl grey, cranberry and strawberry. Deceptively supple and light on the palate but with great length and finesse.