Ar.Pe.Pe Valtellina Superiore Sassella Riserva Rocce Rosse 2018

Ar.Pe.Pe Sassella Rocce Rosse Valtellina Superiore Riserva 2018 is one of the purest, most refined expressions of mountain Nebbiolo you can find. Sourced from the prized Sassella subzone in Valtellina, this Riserva marries alpine freshness with remarkable depth and elegance. Crafted by a family with five generations of experience, Rocce Rosse is considered the beating heart of Ar.Pe.Pe’s range and a benchmark for the region.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Rocce Rosse shows a luminous, transparent garnet hue with brick-tinged edges that hint at its traditional, long-aging style. The nose is beautifully lifted and complex, offering wild strawberry, dried cherry, rose petals, and violet, layered with notes of blood orange zest, mountain herbs, tobacco leaf, and subtle spice. On the palate, this is precise and finely etched rather than heavy, with a silky, almost weightless texture that gradually reveals depth and intensity. Red berries, pomegranate, and sour cherry are wrapped in savory nuances of dried flowers, tea leaf, bitter almond, and a gentle mineral salinity from the rocky terraces. The tannins are ultra-fine yet firm, providing a classical Nebbiolo backbone, while the racy acidity keeps everything vibrant and mouthwatering. Already beautifully expressive, the 2018 has the structure and balance to age gracefully for 15–20 years or more under good cellaring conditions, gaining further complexity and tertiary notes over time.

Production
Rocce Rosse is sourced from steep, high-altitude terraces in the Sassella cru of Valtellina, where Nebbiolo (locally known as Chiavennasca) grows on poor, rocky, south-facing slopes carved into the mountainside. The dramatic alpine terroir—cool nights, strong diurnal shifts, and mineral-rich, sandy soils over rock—gives the wine its tension, perfume, and distinctive mineral edge. Harvesting is done entirely by hand due to the extreme slopes, with meticulous selection of bunches in the vineyard and again in the cellar. Ar.Pe.Pe follows a rigorously traditional approach: long, gentle macerations in large wooden vats, spontaneous or carefully managed fermentations, and extended aging in large, old Slavonian oak botti before further refinement in bottle. This slow, patient élevage allows Nebbiolo’s delicate aromatics and finely chiseled tannins to fully develop without being overshadowed by new oak.

Food & Serving
This elegant mountain Nebbiolo is superb with refined, savory dishes such as veal osso buco, braised lamb shank, roasted game birds, or a classic mushroom risotto. It also pairs beautifully with aged Alpine cheeses, truffle dishes, and slow-cooked ragù over polenta or fresh egg pasta. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy or Nebbiolo-style stemware to allow the aromatics to fully open. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended in its youth to soften the tannins and release the bouquet, while older bottles may need a gentler, shorter decant to separate sediment without losing delicacy.

Producer
Ar.Pe.Pe (short for ARnoldo PElizzatti PErego) is one of Valtellina’s most revered, traditional producers, with a family history in the region that spans five generations. Based in the alpine heart of Lombardy, the estate has become synonymous with classically styled, long-lived Nebbiolo from heroic, terraced vineyards that cling to the steep slopes above the Adda River. While many regions have modernized stylistically, Ar.Pe.Pe has steadfastly maintained an old-school approach: long macerations, large old casks, and extended bottle aging that echo the great traditional Barolo and Barbaresco wines, but with a distinctly mountain character. Today, Ar.Pe.Pe is widely recognized as a reference point for Valtellina, consistently earning international acclaim and helping to restore the region’s reputation for producing some of Italy’s most elegant and age-worthy Nebbiolo.