2013 ArPePe Sassella Nuova Regina Riserva (750ml)

Nebbiolo from Valtellina Superiore, Lombardy, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Attention Nebbiolo fans – if you haven't yet discovered the captivating wines of Ar.Pe.Pe. from the tiny Valtellina region north of Piedmont, you're in for a real treat. Considered one of the most impressive producers in the region, Ar.Pe.Pe.'s highly rated Valtellinas offer fresh, racy fruit with bright acidity in richly complex red wines that Vinous critic Antonio Galloni declares "will leave lovers of translucent Nebbiolo weak at the knees."

More than a decade after the winery was sold off in a family dispute, fourth generation Arturo Pelizzatti Perego launched a new winery in 1984, buying back family vineyards and the original Pelizzatti family cellars and renaming it Ar.Pe.Pe. Now run by Arturo's three children, Ar.Pe.Pe. (pronounced "Arr-Pay-Pay") crafts its wines in the traditional method with the localized clone of Nebbiolo known as Chiavennasca, fermenting with native yeasts and extensively aging the wines in large chestnut and oak casks. Rising up south facing slopes at altitudes up to 2,500 feet above sea level, Ar.Pe.Pe.'s steep terraced vineyards are reminiscent of Germany's Mosel and Portugal's Douro, located in two distinct terroirs at higher elevations: Sassella, known for powerful wines of bold intensity and minerality, and Grumello, exhibiting fruit-driven elegance and finesse, all balanced with lively acidity.

Blended from these two terroirs, an exploration of Ar.Pe.Pe.'s wines begins with the lush 93pt 2016 Ar.Pe.Pe. Petrirossa boasting fresh, juicy fruit with bright acidity and earthy hints of Alpine herbs. Produced from their top vineyards, the ageworthy 2015 Ar.Pe.Pe. selections offer rich, palate-coating fruit and deeply layered nuances of violet and spice typical of Nebbiolo, while the lushly complex 95pt 2013 Riservas are single vineyard wines of exceptional longevity produced only in the best vintages, released an astounding eight years after harvest and expressive of each "cru."

Known for crafting the region's most highly acclaimed wines, critic and leading Italian expert Galloni declares "Ar.Pe.Pe. shows just how pedigreed the wines of Valtellina can be," earning their place among Italy's top Nebbiolos and delivering exceptional value. With the majority of Valtellina's wines historically consumed within 100 miles of the surrounding valley, Nebbiolo lovers already familiar with Ar.Pe.Pe. know to act fast – these hard-to-find, value priced gems will be gone in a flash.

96WE

95WA

Loaded with finesse and energy and still youthfully austere, this linear, structured red offers tart cranberry, blood orange and star anise sensations. A vein of salty mineral provides the backdrop while fine-grained tannins provide elegant structure and support. Racy acidity keeps it balanced. Give it time to fully develop and blossom into even more of a beauty. Drink 2025–2035.

96 points, Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (Dec 2021)

A release of about 6,000 bottles, the Ar. Pe. Pe. 2013 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Nuova Regina draws its fruit from terraced vineyards delineated by rocky drywalls. The vines are at least 50 years old and planted in friable metamorphic rock or gneiss shaped by glaciers. This wine is made in a highly traditional manner with extended skin maceration in oak casks, and all the harvest work is done by hand. This is a true beauty with enormous finesse and a deep well of aromatic nuances that center around wild berries, blue flowers and iron ore. The wine is carefully aged with fine and silky tannins. It tastes great, so if you have a bottle you can drink it now or wait longer if that is your pleasure.

95 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Issue # 253 - Feb 2021)

#ITARNE13DE

$99.98

12 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

Add a Case of 12

Add to Wishlist