Ar Pe Pe, Sassella Riserva 'Rocce Rosse' 1996

Old school production here. The Perego family trace their roots back to 1860 in these parts. We're in Valtellina, Lombardy, where the vines are grown on terraces built into ultra steep, east facing hills. Proper sun traps, and they need it, because it's properly continental here, with stupidly cold winters and chilly nights. All work is done by hand, with mechanisation on slopes like this practically impossible. Vinification and maturation are old time, favouring gentle extraction and long term maturation. The wines are often released with considerable age, having been given time to come together in bottle. Admirable stuff. An iconic producer in these parts, and all parts.