Cantina Arturo Pelizzatti was founded in Sondrio in 1860. During the 1900s the cantina made much of its fame becoming the finest
producer of the wines of Valtellina. In the early sixties Arturo Pelizzatti-Perego joined at 20 years of age. He soon showed his
skills as a great winemaker and made some legendary wines together with his father Guido Pelizzatti. In December 1973 Guido died.
This opened for family-conflicts as there were several heirs. Against his desires Arturo was forced to sell the family-winery.
A deal was made with Winefood. The cellars, vineyards and brands were sold to them, but Arturo could continue as
winemaker. But this collaboration was not a happy one for Arturo. Winefood wanted a more commercial approach. They wanted not at all
to follow Arturos ideas of making high-quality wines and forced changes to be made in both vineyards and cellar. For Arturo it was
years of suffering and he felt his dignity was taken away from him. In '83 Cantina A.Pelizzatti was sold to Gruppo Italiano
Vini and things got even worse for Arturo. During this period he started buying up small plots of good vineyards and plans were
made to start a new winery. In '87 Arturo broke out of the collaboration and started his own firm. But the name of Cantina A.Pelizzatti
was still owned by Gruppo Italiani Vini, so the new firm was named Cantina Ar.Pe.Pe. This winery is today run by Arturo
Pelizzatti-Peregos daughter Isabella and sons Emanuele and Guido.
So this bottle is from the time that Cantina A.Pelizzatti still was a family-business run by Arturo Pelizzatti-Perego and his father
Guido. The Grumello riserva Sassorosso was considered their top-selection. Sheldon Wasserman considered the '64 vintage of Sassorosso
the best Valtellinaen wine he had tasted in his book Italy's noble red wines from 1991. After tasting this bottle I highly agree with
him. This bottle had a great fill. Level A. Also a great and long cork that was in good shape. In the glass the wine had a red-brown colour.
Healthy and youthful red at the core. Looks great for a 47 year old nebbiolo. Great nose that becomes more complex
with 2-3 hours of air. Lots of tartufi, forest-floor, tobacco and floral high-notes. Light and fragile wine in the mouth. But with
air this shows its inner strength and great concentration. Obvious and fine nebbioloish fruit. Tartufi and forest-floor and fine
floral high-notes that one finds in the best nebbiolos. Tobacco-notes that for me pins it as a Valtellina-wine. Great and linear
taste-curve. Fruit all the way to the finish. Fine acids that leaves a refreshing finish. Tannic end that gives the wine a dry
and long taste. Tremendous quality. As great as Valtellina gets. On top now, but still lots of life. This will probably stay on
top for many more years.
Arnt Egil Nordlien Tasting note: Nov-11
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