Vanessa

9.5

Melt my heart. This wine is stunning.

ARPEPE Sassella “Rocce Rosse” Riserva 2013—an outstanding expression of Nebbiolo from the Valtellina Superiore DOCG.

🏔️ Valtellina is a northerly district in Lombardy, Italy, bordering Switzerland. It boasts a majestic alpine mountain-scape w/ terraced vineyards perched on the steep slopes of the Alps, surrounding an oasis of sunshine on the valley floor.

Valtellina is famous for its perfumed & elegant wines made mostly from Nebbiolo (locally ‘Chiavennasca’).

🍷 This 2013 is 100% Chiavennasca from a site at 400-500 meters elevation in the Sassella subzone.

🍒It offers pronounced aromas & flavors of dark cherry, bright raspberry, mulberry, pomegranate, fig, strawberry rhubarb, potpourri, black tea, star anise, fennel, peat, olive tapenade, vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg & forest floor.

😍 On the palate, it is lifted & ethereal w/ mouth-watering acidity & velveteen tannins that support a lingering finish. A BEAUTIFUL wine. — 4 hours ago

with Deked1

Daniel Bloom

9.3

At first open, this on the nose has a distinct caramel/barrel(botti?),odor that my wife also noted as unique. ( we’ll try to remember exactly) Then i plopped it out for 2 plus hours and with lots of air, this bloomed into a savory, brownish leaning with red underpinnings Barolo cousin. Lighter indeed, but many of the same fruit and secondary notes are there. The tannins are very gentle, and with a meal lighter in heavy proteins it fits well. We had Tortilla Espanola,,Sardines, cheeses, veggies.
There’s something almost brandyesque here…teasing at it but rewarding, especially on the nose that sense of rusty red coming up from below.
Motalli is always very interesting, I’d like more acidity, but that’s trifling.
With Randy.
Thanks, @fassselections — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

This is a remembrance of Sofia & my trip to Franciacorta & visit to Ca’ del Bosco in 2015.

If Italy has a kind of equivalent to Champagne, it would be Franciacorta. This is not Prosecco. It is made in the traditional method.

It is a beautiful part of Italy with both Lake Garda’s, one smaller (closer) & one much bigger and is a summer haven.

Excuse the fussy pics. I bought a new iPhone 7 just before we left & it had a defective camera.

The nose shows fruit blossoms, pineapple, green, apple, golden apple, white peach, tropical melons, vanilla, frothy cream, some caramel, soft volcanics, chalk & spring flowers setting in greens.

The palate has nice, soft, mousse. Ripe fruits; fruit blossoms, pineapple, green, apple, golden apple, lemon, lime, white peach, tropical melons & mango. Vanilla, frothy cream, some caramel, soft volcanics, sea spray, saline, chalk & spring flowers setting in greens, beautiful, acidity, well balanced, nicely structured & toned with an elegant finish that last a full minute and lands on volcanics. — 4 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.3

This is, as expected, the more structured between the Sassella and the Grumello of the same vintage, but on this night actually preferred the latter. — 6 months ago

Marc Karetsky

9.5

Love this maker. Classic Nebbiolo. — 7 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Ca’ del Bosco “Annamaria Clementi” Franciacorta 2016, Franciacorta DOCG, Lombardy, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Prestige cuvée Franciacorta from Ca’ del Bosco, crafted using the traditional method and aged extensively on lees. The blend includes Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco, the latter adding a distinctive Italian identity rarely seen in Champagne. The 2016 vintage shows exceptional balance and refinement, delivering the depth and elegance expected from one of Italy’s most iconic sparkling wines.

Aromas & Flavors
White peach, baked apple, citrus zest, toasted brioche, almond pastry, and delicate floral tones. Subtle hints of honey, lemon curd, and crushed stone emerge with air, giving the wine impressive aromatic complexity.

Mouthfeel
Ultra-fine mousse with a creamy yet energetic texture. Structured and layered with vibrant acidity supporting a deep mid-palate. Long, persistent finish with elegance and precision, prestige cuvée level balance that rivals top Champagne houses.

Food Pairings
Lobster or scallop crudo. Oysters with citrus mignonette. Truffle risotto. Branzino or Dover sole. Aged Parmigiano Reggiano

Verdict
A striking example of Franciacorta at its highest level, refined, expressive, and unmistakably luxurious. The structure and finesse easily evoke comparisons with tête de cuvée Champagne, yet the presence of Pinot Bianco adds a subtle Italian nuance that sets it apart.

Did You Know?
Franciacorta requires longer minimum lees aging than Champagne for vintage wines (at least 30 months for vintage expressions), contributing to the creamy texture and complexity found in prestige cuvées like Annamaria Clementi.

🍷 Personal Pick
Absolutely a “whoa factor” sparkling wine, each glass reveals depth and refinement comparable to top Champagne prestige cuvées, yet with a distinctive Italian signature.
— 8 months ago

JKT

9.0

11 years in, still fresh and lively acids minerals standing out on palate — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.1

Smells like a dead ringer for Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc on initial pour, a little swirl instead leans mineral with just an undertone of grassy SB, shows nice richness on the palate and good length, lingering finish, this is quite good! — 2 months ago

with Jim

Markus Kruschke

9.2

Beautiful Lugana. First try on date night in Lazise on vacation in June 2026 in Ristorante Vecchia Dogana — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2023 vintage. Medium body. This showed well at the FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) weekly affair. Some sleekness. Some exoticism. Some mineralité. 6.26.26. — 4 months ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.4

Bright acidity. Replay few tannins. Way more an Irish. Tart cherry. 2019. An herbaceousness that is v compelling. Lovely. — 6 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

More open knit than the Sassella, total deliciousness and high toned elegance — 6 months ago

romo

9.2

First bottle three years ago had more energy. Went sour on day 2. — 7 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Stunning, vividly three-dimensional nose of red cherry, tar, roses, sweet spice, desiccated leaves and orange rind, with extraordinary complexity and purity right out of the gates. The palate is juicy, complete and deeply terroir-driven, with explosive tiny-berry fruit intensity, painful concentration, unbelievable finesse, velvety sweet tannins and tremendous length. Still needs around 30 minutes to fully knit together, but the depth, clarity and architecture are already remarkable. — 2 months ago

Michael

9.3

Needs time but wow — 2 months ago

Sagee Aran

9.2

A rich golden hue, opens with an inviting, moderately intense nose of ripe stone fruits. On the palate, it balances medium to full body with a crisp acidity that cuts through the weight. The oak influence is notices, lending subtle structure rather than heavy the flavor, and it finishes with a long, savory note. Enjoyable . — 3 months ago

Sagee Aran

9.0

A fantastic every day white for the family meal — 5 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.5

NV Probably the best Vermouth, só intense. Love it. — 6 months ago

Kapyrick Wine

9.0

v15. Very good!!! Yeasty nose. Fresh almond and citrus zest fruit. Bright, dry, luscious doughy finish. Small vibrant bubbles. Enjoyable!! — 7 months ago

P Pelissero

9.1

Very nice, smooth Pinot Noir. We drank at home. — 7 months ago