March 22, 2023 - 100% Nebbiolo harvested from the old (average vineyard age is 50 years) 4-hectare Rocce Rosse vineyard - named after the red rocks in the soil - found in the rocky Valtellina subzone of Sassella. The wine is fermented spontaneously and macerated with the skins for 30 days in old 5000-liter casks made of oak, acacia and chestnut. Typically aged for 4 years in old, untoasted 5500-liter botti casks made of oak, acacia and chestnut and a year in concrete tanks. Made only in exceptional vintages - in other vintages the fruit gets declassified to the 2nd wine or Valtellina Superiore. Total production 9866 bottles. 13% alcohol. Double-decanted approximately 3½ hours prior to tasting the wine.
Luminous, pale and very translucent ruby red color with a faint brick-red hue. The fragrant nose feels sweet-toned with quite ripe aromas of black cherries and juicy black raspberries, some wild strawberry notes, a little bit of tar, light volatile nuances of nail polish, a hint of dusty earth, a touch of licorice root and a whiff of peppery spice. The wine feels ripe, juicy and bone-dry on the palate with a rather full body and quite tertiary flavors of beef jerky and autumnal leaves, some tart lingonberry tones, a little bit of balsamic richness, a hint of licorice root and a touch of sour cherry bitterness. The high acidity and balanced medium tannins make the wine feel balanced and quite structured but not too lean or angular. The finish is long, moderately grippy and bone-dry with a long, somewhat tertiary aftertaste of tart cranberries and lingonberries, some sour cherry bitterness, light autumnal notes of damp leaves, a little bit of salty liquorice, a hint of balsamic VA and an oxidative touch of beef jerky.
An aged, complex and harmonious Valtellina Riserva that was the only vintage in our 2009-1997 vertical that felt like it was at its peak. There are some tertiary, slightly oxidative nuances and despite its rather youthful appearance and nose, the wine comes across as quite evolved on the palate. Both the fruit department and the tannic structure feel so developed and resolved at the moment that they really don't call for any additional aging. Most likely the wine will keep fine for many years more, but I doubt the wine is going to improve much from where it is now. A fine, rewarding Nebbiolo that might feel quite lean and austere compared to its Langhe cousins, but comes across relatively ripe and open-knit compared to the younger vintages of Rocce Rosse we tasted. Lovely.
November 23, 2022 - On top of all the notes of nutmeg after was opened for while were predominant. What a great Nebbiolo chiavennasca even after 23 years!
March 24, 2022 - Drank like a Burgundy with an extra dose of Alpine acidity and minerality. In a nice place. Light on its feet and not tired at all. Held up well on day two but was ready to drink after an hour or so decant.
March 25, 2021 - Light red color. Aromas of red cherries, dried herbs and wood spices. Light-bodied, nicely-structured fruit in the mouth with well-integrated tannins. After about 20 minutes of air, somewhat elegant and persistent on the palate. I found this well-regarded wine a bit disappointing and in the latter part of its peak drinking period. Not a good value.
March 6, 2021 - Opened the evening before and drunk over dinner with friends.
Classic and elegant, this was good from the get go and even better 24h later.
June 12, 2020 - Ancora una grandissima bottiglia almeno per altri 5 anni
September 8, 2018 - Lifted, precise, rose petals, red cherry. If you took red fruit flesh and made a fruit leather that was stretched so thin, you could see right through it. Like great Barolo spread thin as a film. Beautiful tension and minerality. Terrific.
September 17, 2017 - Lovely nose of leather, dried herbs, and cedar. A very light rendition of Riserva. Licorice on the palate along with bright fruit and significant acidity -- not your typical Sassella. Delicious.
July 13, 2016 - Great with pan roasted pork chops. Elegant. Gets better with air and food.
May 21, 2016 - "Amore, come ti pare questo vino?" "Mmmmh, non è male, ma sa di speck"
Ok, stappi una bottiglia del 1999 di un gran nebbiolo della Valtellina (remoto anno in cui hai iniziato ad uscire con tua moglie), vino comprato in tempi non sospetti, vino che negli anni è diventato quasi di culto, lo hai affinato in cantina per più di una decade, ... e questa è la reazione della compagna di una vita.
Enomaniaco, te lo meriti! Quello che fai è totalmente senza senso, e nessuno ti capirà mai.
Vino meraviglioso, un nebbiolo per me quasi leggendario, ancora in uno stato di forma ineccepibile, sempre più buono. L'ultima bottiglia del 1999 la berrò tra 5 o 6 anni.