In This Newsletter:
ArPePe
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette: Bodegas Maranones
ArPePe
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
ArPePe
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette: Bodegas Maranones
ArPePe
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
As the Alps dramatically ease their way from the north of Italy to Switzerland, the small wine region of Valtellina is nestled between snow-peaked mountains, rolling hills, and meandering rivers. With regard to northern Italian wine and Nebbiolo-at-large, Valtellina is one of those best-kept-secrets. It is home to some of the most ethereal and mineral driven expressions of wine in the world. Naturally insulated from the rest of the country due to the topography, the villagers practice winemaking exactly as they have for centuries.
One of the region’s finest wine producers – and likely the best-known – is ArPePe. Arturo Pelizzatti Perego (who went by ArPePe) family’s winemaking roots in the area go back centuries, but they were forced to sell off their winery and some vineyards due to illness. ArPePe re-established his family’s estate in 1984 under his nickname. In the ensuing thirty years, he helped elevate the winery and region alike to global recognizance and appreciation before his passing in 2004. This was a dramatic shift for the region considering that in the 1990s, most Valtellina never traveled further than Switzerland.
Within the cellar the winery carved out of a mountain in the subzone of Grumello, the family follows the time-tested script of traditional winemaking. ArPePe’s three children continue his legacy of crafting incredibly expressive wines with poise, grace, and some serious age worthiness.
The Rosso is 100% Nebbiolo, offering an easy-drinking ready-to-go style while the other wines cellar. They craft several Valtellina Superiore and Riserva wines identified by their subzone (Grumello, Sassella, and Inferno), all from the heart of the region. Grumello, ArPePe’s home subzone, has steep and rocky terraces ranging from 350 to 600 meters above sea level. Sassella is the most famous and largest subzone, with steep terraces winding from 270 to 600 meters in elevation. Inferno, likely named for the summer heat it experiences, is the smallest subzone ArPePe works with but offers a wide diversity of slopes and aspects despite a narrower elevation. From these regions, ArPePe crafts magnificent offerings of Nebbiolo that rival Piedmont’s finest.
One of the region’s finest wine producers – and likely the best-known – is ArPePe. Arturo Pelizzatti Perego (who went by ArPePe) family’s winemaking roots in the area go back centuries, but they were forced to sell off their winery and some vineyards due to illness. ArPePe re-established his family’s estate in 1984 under his nickname. In the ensuing thirty years, he helped elevate the winery and region alike to global recognizance and appreciation before his passing in 2004. This was a dramatic shift for the region considering that in the 1990s, most Valtellina never traveled further than Switzerland.
Within the cellar the winery carved out of a mountain in the subzone of Grumello, the family follows the time-tested script of traditional winemaking. ArPePe’s three children continue his legacy of crafting incredibly expressive wines with poise, grace, and some serious age worthiness.
The Rosso is 100% Nebbiolo, offering an easy-drinking ready-to-go style while the other wines cellar. They craft several Valtellina Superiore and Riserva wines identified by their subzone (Grumello, Sassella, and Inferno), all from the heart of the region. Grumello, ArPePe’s home subzone, has steep and rocky terraces ranging from 350 to 600 meters above sea level. Sassella is the most famous and largest subzone, with steep terraces winding from 270 to 600 meters in elevation. Inferno, likely named for the summer heat it experiences, is the smallest subzone ArPePe works with but offers a wide diversity of slopes and aspects despite a narrower elevation. From these regions, ArPePe crafts magnificent offerings of Nebbiolo that rival Piedmont’s finest.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of ArPePe
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of ArPePe
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, May 25th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of ArPePe
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, May 25th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer seven options from ArPePe on sale now, including:
ArPePe Rosso di Valtellina, Lombardy 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $38, that’s $36.10 at 5% off and $34.20 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
100% Nebbiolo from 50-100 year old vines on the lower slopes of the Sassella and Grumello vineyards.
ArPePe Inferno Fiamme Antiche Riserva, Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “A graceful, mineral-driven red, with seamless integration of the firm, fine-grained tannins and concentrated flavors of ripe raspberry, star anise, Earl Grey and red licorice. Light on its feet, this red boasts complexity and depth. Drink now through 2030. 500 cases made, 150 cases imported.”
ArPePe Grumello Rocca de Piro Riserva, Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “A fresh, focused red, with a subtle yet persistently fragrant thread of tobacco and spices winding through dried cherry and strawberry, tea rose, stone and smoke notes. Reveals supple tannins that firm the creamy, lasting finish. Tightly meshed yet still expressive, this should show well with short-term cellaring. Best from 2024 through 2034. 1,900 cases made, 170 cases imported.”
ArPePe Grumello Sant’Antonio Riserva, Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2013 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2013 Valtellina Superiore Grumello Riserva Sant’Antonio is a bold, pungent wine. Dark red and purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice race across the palate. A deep, vertical Riserva, the 2013 is very young today, but it is so impressive. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s striking inner perfume, sweetness and sheer pedigree.”
ArPePe Inferno Sesto Canto Riserva, Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2013 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “There’s a lovely juiciness to the crushed black raspberry and strawberry fruit on display in this elegant, medium- to full-bodied red, yet sleek tannins are well-integrated and provide fine definition. Fragrant notes of tea leaf, pomegranate and hot stone chime on the silky finish. Drink now through 2033. 500 cases made, 175 cases imported. –AN”
ArPePe Sassella Nuova Regina Riserva, Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2013 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Loaded with finesse and energy and still youthfully austere, this linear, structured red offers tart cranberry, blood orange and star anise sensations. A vein of salty mineral provides the backdrop while fine-grained tannins provide elegant structure and support. Racy acidity keeps it balanced. Give it time to fully develop and blossom into even more of a beauty. Drink 2025–2035. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “A release of about 6,000 bottles, the Ar. Pe. Pe. 2013 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Nuova Regina draws its fruit from terraced vineyards delineated by rocky drywalls. The vines are at least 50 years old and planted in friable metamorphic rock or gneiss shaped by glaciers. This wine is made in a highly traditional manner with extended skin maceration in oak casks, and all the harvest work is done by hand. This is a true beauty with enormous finesse and a deep well of aromatic nuances that center around wild berries, blue flowers and iron ore. The wine is carefully aged with fine and silky tannins. It tastes great, so if you have a bottle you can drink it now or wait longer if that is your pleasure.”
ArPePe Sassella Ultimi Raggi Riserva, Valtellina Superiore 2013 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93+ points “The 2013 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Riserva Ultimi Raggi is a bit austere. Red purplish fruit, dried herbs, orange peel, spices, rose petals and cinnamon are layered in this exotic, beguiling Valtellina Superiore. Readers will find a wine of terrific energy, with bright acids that run through a tight finish. It’s hard to say for a wine that is nearly ten years old, but the 2013 might still need time!”
The wines of Madrid have developed a devoted following in recent years. The entire plateau seems to be drenched in the intense sunlight of Spain, but the high elevation results in dramatic diurnal swings. Soils feature primarily decomposed granitic, sandy soils – the quintessential stomping ground for well-built Garnacha, such as this budget-friendly example from Bodegas Maranones. This 2016, the 30,000 Maravedíes, has an elegance and brightness that reflects its extreme growing conditions. The wine is generous but balanced, and will stun at table any time this decade.
In Stock & On Close-Out Sale Now:
Bodegas Maranones 30,000 Maravedíes, Madrid 2016 750ml Was $24, Now $20.90 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 91+ points “The fully developed, aromatic and open 2016 30.000 Maravedíes, with nice aromatics and a very pleasant palate. It’s fragrant and elegant, with pungent flavors and very good persistence. This is a superb showing for this bottling.”
In Stock & On Close-Out Sale Now:
Bodegas Maranones 30,000 Maravedíes, Madrid 2016 750ml Was $24, Now $20.90 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 91+ points “The fully developed, aromatic and open 2016 30.000 Maravedíes, with nice aromatics and a very pleasant palate. It’s fragrant and elegant, with pungent flavors and very good persistence. This is a superb showing for this bottling.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
We offer 212 wines on our close-out sale, including gems from the Mosel producer Merkelbach, Chianti producer Meleto, and Spanish producer Nin-Ortiz. Shop the list here!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Bründlmayer
10% off any 6-11 in-stock bottles of Bründlmayer
15% off any 12 or more in-stock bottles of Bründlmayer
G.D. Vajra & Luigi Baudana
5% off any 4-8 in-stock bottles of G.D. Vajra and/or Luigi Baudana
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of G.D. Vajra and/or Luigi Baudana
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Bründlmayer sale ends Thursday, May 23rd at 9 am Pacific. G.D. Vajra & Luigi Baudana sale ends Friday, May 24th at 9 am Pacific.