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Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella 'Rocce Rosse'
Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella 'Rocce Rosse'
- 100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) sourced from the Sassella subzone
- 400-500 meters elevation
- South/southeastern exposure
- Maceration for 69 days in 50-hectoliter wooden vats
- Aged 39 months in cask
- Refined three years in bottle
- Alcohol 13%
- 1,000 cases produced
- First vintage 1984
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
1996
Country:
Italy
Region:
Lombardia
Appellation:
Valtellina
Variety:
Nebbiolo
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | IT-ARP-23-96 | 6/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
95
Date
2024-12-20
"The nose is still rather closed while the austere, vibrant palate is tight, taut and chiseled, offering cranberry sour cherry, ground clove, orange rind and dark spice set against an acidic backbone and taut tannins. It's also pristine, with racy precision. Drink 2028 – 2036. Abv: 12.5% Kerin O'Keefe December 2024"
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
98
Date
2024-12-20
"Another excellent showing, this is a classic Nebbiolo from the mountains. It has so much verve and so far has the best fruit compared to the previous wines. It boasts great racy tension and freshness, delivering crunchy red cherry, wild strawberry, baking spice and flinty mineral accompanied by taut, refined tannins. Drink through 2036. Abv: 13% Kerin O'Keefe December 2024"
Wine Advocate
Score
93
Date
Decanter
Score
94
Date
Vinous
Score
96
Date
Wine Spectator
Score
93
Date
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
99
Date
2024-12-20
"While 2002 was one of the worst vintages in Modern Day mainland Italy, it was excellent in Valtellina and the 2002 Rocce Rosse Riserva is extraordinary. The best of the tasting, it boasts aromas and flavors of sweet red cherry, fruit cake, baking spice, mint, spiced orange zest and salty mineral. It has structure and a smooth texture, with taut, refined tannins and racy tension that gives it finesse and so much life. What a stunner. Drink through 2042. Abv: 13% Kerin O'Keefe December 2024"
Vinous
Score
91
Date
Wine Spectator
Score
93
Date
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
94
Date
2024-12-20
"Still young, tight, taut and vibrant, this has sensations of dried cherry, dark spice, tobacco, carob, star anise, blood orange and mineral notes recalling rusty nail. It's more mature than 2002 but still very good, with taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2030. Abv: 13% Kerin O'Keefe December 2024"
Vinous
Score
93
Date
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
Wine Enthusiast
Score
98
Date
Wine Spectator
Score
95
Date
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
95
Date
2024-12-20
"From a hot vintage that led to one of the earliest harvests ever in the growing zone, this is more structured than the previous wines. It also has great, rich cherry fruit accented with sensations of tobacco, cocoa, and dried Alpine herb accompanied by firm, close-grained tannins before a salted finish. Abv: 13.5% Kerin O'Keefe December 2024"
Vinous
Score
94
Date
Wine Enthusiast
Score
98
Date
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
95
Date
2024-12-20
"From a hot vintage that led to one of the earliest harvests ever in the growing zone, this is more structured than the previous wines. It also has great, rich cherry fruit accented with sensations of tobacco, cocoa, and dried Alpine herb accompanied by firm, close-grained tannins before a salted finish. Abv: 13.5% Kerin O'Keefe December 2024"
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2022-03-31
Wine Enthusiast
Score
98
Date
2021-12-01
James Suckling
Score
96
Date
2024-07-04
"Very flowery on the nose, with fresh violets, roses, red currants, bright fruitiness, licorice and stony minerality. The attack is soft, with a medium body, brilliant crisp acidity and tight yet ripe tannins soaked in fruit. Not an easy wine, more elegant than powerful. It needs time to develop more complexity. Drinkable now, but best from 2026."
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
98
Date
2024-12-20
"Tight, taut and very young, this gorgeous wine has intense aromas of Alpine berry, orange zest, camphor and cake spice. On the savory, elegantly structured palate, firm tannins accompany crushed mint, wild strawberry, pomegranate and grilled Porcini. A salty note signals the close while vibrant acidity keeps it balanced. Drink through 2046 Abv: 13% Kerin O'Keefe December 2024"
Wine Advocate
Score
96
Date
2024-01-25
"The Ar. Pe. Pe. 2016 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Rocce Rosse is initially understated with timid primary fruit, blood orange and apricot. There is a pretty spiciness as well, with dried cinnamon stick, nutmeg and tanned leather. The wine needs time, and if you come back to the glass after a little pause, it sings with greater intensity and balance. This is a release of 25,302 bottles that sees 97 days on the skins and 34 months of wood and cement aging."
Wine Spectator
Score
92
Date
2024-03-31
"A bright red driven by a tang of salinity and lively acidity aligned with taut, integrated tannins and aromas and flavors of crushed cherry and strawberry, tea rose and crushed pine, revealing an umami hint of dried porcini mushroom. "