Valtellina superiore Grumello riserva Rocca de Piro 2002, AR.PE.PE.
100% nebbiolo, 13% alcohol. 24 months in botte. Transparent red colour. Lightly bricking. Fine nose that grows with some air. Hints of tobacco, fresh red berries, fine floral high notes. To me this mix of very fresh fruit with more complex aromas is very typical of this producer. Medium bodied nebbiolo in the mouth. Fine and old-fashioned fruit with medium concentration. Tobacco-scented. Leafy. Typical Valtellina. With some floral notes and this fresh fruitiness. Fine acids and some tannins in the back. Drinking well now, but will age 5-10 years. Fine Valtellina.
Rosso di Valtellina Perlavilla 2004, Tona
80/20 nebbiolo/pignola, 12,5% alc. Red colour. Quite transparent. Fine nose that shows sweet liquorice, much high notes, marzipan and tobacco. Fullbodied Valtellina in the mouth. Highly traditional style with a fine anisy fruit with hints of marzipan and tobacco. Not quite typical, more exotic. Fine acidity and length. A fuller style than normal for the Rosso di Valtellina and with more tannins in the back. This equals many a Valtellina superiore. Will probably gain with aging 2-3 years. Great QPR, a favorite of mine.
Valtellina superiore riserva La Gatta 2001, Casa vinicola Triacca
100% nebbiolo, 13% alcohol. Red colour, lightly bricking. Fine nose, typical of the grape, showing tar, cherries, some earth and tobacco. More Langhe-like than Valtellina. Powerful and quite closed wine in the mouth. Much fruit and more fatness than normal in the Valtellina. Young and fine nebbiolo-fruit. Complex with hints of tar, cherries, earth. High and cleansing acidity. Traditionally made style. Some tannins in the back and quite unresolved and tight. Needs 3-4 more years. Very good nebbiolo for the price that reminds me more of Langhe than Valtellina.
Valtellina Sforzato San Domenico 2000, Casa vinicola Triacca
100% nebbiolo, 14,5% alcohol. Brick colour. Nose shows ripe red fruits, anise, some leather and tar. Some fine high notes. Fullbodied wine in the mouth. Lots of fruit. Typical to the Sforzato-style. A little warm and ripe. Dried red fruits. A bit more raisiny than the nose. Some hints of anise. Shows it's traditional style. Medium acidity and some tannins in the back. A fine sforzato if you like the style. Tempting now.