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Rainoldi, Casa Vinicola Aldo
www.rainoldi.com
Estate grown and bottled by one of the finest producers in Lombardy, the wines from this area come from vineyards that are in fact only a series of small terraces clinging to the live rock of a small stretch of mountain located on the Italian-Swiss border. Due to the rugged and steep nature of the small terraced vineyards, the grapes must be hand picked and carried down the mountain basket by basket; there is no mechanization.
The principal grape of the region is Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo), made famous by Barolo and Barbaresco in neighbouring Piedmont. However, the wines from the Valtellina tend to be fresher and more elegant in style than most Barolos and Barbarescos. This makes them ideal reds to sip and as great matches for most foods. An added plus, these wines have amazing aging potential.
2017 Valtellina Superiore DOCG Crespino
Nebbiolo
When the colours of "Il Crespino" (the bramble rose berry) reach the height of their splendour, then it is the ideal moment to harvest the Nebbiolo grapes that come from the terraces clinging to live rock in the sub-area of Valtellina Superiore. The estate grown 100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) grapes come from the grwing regions of Grumello and Teglio (a sub-area of Valgella) and are late harvested between the first and second week of November. Fermentation and maceration occured in fermentation vats under controlled temperatures with the must punched down and pumped over. Malolactic fermentation continued until Spring 2008. The wine was then aged in new barriques of French oak over a period of 15 months and then benefited from refining in bottle for an additonal 23 months before arriving on the market. This wine is produced only in the best vintages and of this vintage only 4.140 bottles were made.
A ruby red colour; a delicate bouquet of hazelnut; ethereal with hints of oak: a clear flavour, tannic to the right extent and very well balanced. Slightly reminiscent of fine Burgundy. It is advised that the wine be decanted and then served in large glasses at 16°-18°C to best appreciate its complexities with red meat, game dishes and hard cheeses.
SKU: 715557
2018 Valtellina Superiore DOCG - Prugnolo
Chiavennasca
A full-bodied wine crafted by Rainoldi, the premier producer in Lombardia, from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown on the small ledge vineyards on the steep mountain slopes in the Valtellina region of northern Italy.
The carefully selected grapes are control temperature fermented with pump-over and then aged 12 months in small barrels that had previously aged the award winning Ca' Rizzieri Sfursat (a wine made like Amarone but with Nebbiolo grapes instead), blended and bottle refined 12 months before release. Deep ruby colour with a fruity bouquet that hints of plums, cherries, and walnuts. It is harmonic and elegant - a wine of great distinction even when young.
90 Pts Wine Spectator
SKU: 632521
2019 Sfursat di Valtellina DOCG
Chiavennasca
The characteristics of this wine derive from a particular processing method similar to that found in Amarone from the Veneto region. It is produced only in the best years and from a strict selection of grapes during the harvest. The Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) grapes are left to dry on mats for about 3 months. It matures for almost two years in oak barrels, after which, it refines in bottles in dark, cool cellars for at least 1 year before it is released to market. The concentrations reached and aromas developed with the withering, make the wine rich in finesse and personality.
Red garnet in colour, it has a bouquet intense and spicy with light hints of fruits and flowers; there are also clear notes of coffee, cocoa, roasted hazelnut and raisined grapes. Warm, vigorous, with a full, austere, rounded and harmonic flavor. Best enjoyed after decanting; and, served at 18°C in large glasses, with red meat, game and ripe cheese. About 9,500 bottles produced of this vintage.
SKU: 23010