2019 Arpepe Valtellina Superiore Sassella Stella Retica

For over 150 years, this family have made wine but it wasn't until 1984 that patriarch, Arturo Pelizzatti Perego (see Ar.Pe.Pe.) decided to dedicate himself to the pursuit of making world-class Nebbiolo from their home region of Valtellina.

Their fabled terraced vineyards are found in the heart of the Valtellina Superiore DOCG, with their plantings split across three sites: Sassella, Grumello and Inferno. Sassella is all red rocky soils and perilously steep slopes. A diabolical place to grow grapes, however, the results of Nebbiolo grown on this site can be mesmerising.

This is one of the rare Nebbiolo wines outside of the Piedmonte region that drive collectors crazy. This is a beautiful release and will mature elegantly for a decade or more.

"So very good. Peppery. Compelling. Wow."
- 95+ pts, Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)