ArPePe Nebbiolo Masterclass Pack

• 2022 Arpepe Valtellina Superiore Inferno Flamme Antiche
• 2022 Arpepe Valtellina Superiore Grumello Rocca de Piro
• 2022 Arpepe Valtellina Superiore Sassella Stella Retica

2022 Arpepe Valtellina Superiore Inferno Flamme Antiche

The 'Inferno' is the hot pocket of a vineyard in Poggiridenti that is shielded from cooling winds, so the Nebbiolo ripens deeper and quicker.

It's fresh, cool and herbal, like all the Arpepes, but there is some extra fruit concentration and succulence. All the raspberry and cherry red fruits and a long, silky palate.

Can easily be approached now such is the delicioso quota.

94+ points
"Dark raspberry, plum, some liquorice, dried herbs and flowers, camphor, an ash and stony top note. It’s medium-bodied, but quite deep and firm, orange peel and cherry, kind of sinewy in feel with all this tightly- knit muscular tannin, a gravelly feel, lively acidity lends a dry and gently tart edge, and the finish is bright and long. It has a marginally baked quality to fruit, and a bit more grunt than some vintages, and yet it still has so much energy and a distinct volcanic sort of character. Very good."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

2022 Arpepe Valtellina Superiore Grumello Rocca de Piro

Arpepe has a couple vineyards within the Grumello sub region in Valtellina, and while they can be among their most tannic expressions, this is a floral, elegant delight.

Aromas of both fresh and dried fruits, cherry, some violet and lots of ironstone and spice. The tannins are tight and intense but have a lovely gentle flow to them. A Nebbiolo of great energy and poise.

Tiny production wine but another indication of how brilliant Valtellina Nebbiolo can be.

95 points
"Spice, orange peel, amaro, cherry, kind of a panforte thing here (but the good ones with plenty of spice), liquorice and violets. It’s medium-bodied, has a dusty and spicy feel to tannin, cool fine acidity, strawberry and orange peel, with a lively and spicy finish of good length. Very nice. The lightest, spiciest and friskiest of the 2022 superiore wines, and lovely it is too."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

2022 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. 

95 points
"Strawberry, fennel, dusty spices, dried roses, assorted amaro things. It’s red-fruited, has a juiciness to it, but also some sap and orange tang, pumice stone tannin grip, a cool menthol character, orange peel and dried herb perfume on a bright finish of excellent length.  Quite the ‘mineral’ thing here. This vintage, in particular, needs a little more time to resolve than some, but gee, it’s a good wine and so full of personality."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)