Stella Retica Sassella Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo

Outrageous showing. Better than my last bottle. Stunning. So floral and delicate. Unreal sweetness and tannins.

Another fine vintage here. Arpepe really leaned into the 2017 style and made really pretty wines that could not be more different than the dense. powerful and structured 16’s. I can’t think of 2 more contrasting back to back vintages right now. Maybe 02/03 German Riesling.

Anyway nose is mysterious smokey spices and some faint mid asian cherry but dominated now by spice and florals that are picking up by the second. Palate is generous, forward and has a sense of restrained richness. Tannins are ripe but mineral driven and the fruit stain on the backend is wonderful and the backend is so long. Really compelling stuff in a notorious vintage for Langhe Nebbiolo and not the best in Valtellina. Arpepe is truly a great winery more for wines like this than wines in obviously great vintages like 16/13 and 2010.

Nose is so elegant. Intense cherry flower and rose. The combination of intensity and elegance is quite amazing. A hint of cherry licorice. Gets more complex with air.

Palate is amazing early season fresh cherry juice. So elegant. So fresh. Wow.