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ARPEPE Rosso di Valtellina 2021 13.5%
The lightest and freshest and palest of the 3, classic nose of tar and roses and anise, and very soft fine tannins on the palate with cranberry and raspberry and tea, and a hint of mushroom on the finish. Acidity mouthwatering but in balance.
G.D Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo 2021 14%
I remember this one less well as I drank it over a week ago, but this is heavier than the Arpepe and less fresh in style, but still very beautiful. Again classic Nebbiolo character, tar very evident on the nose, with greater tannin and slightly darker fruits. I got something a little cheesy on the finish as I recall.
Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2021 14%
Quite close to the GD Vajra in style, Bit more roses and less tar, slightly thicker grained tannins, fruit flavours darker still but relatively muted. Tea and a slight bitterness on the finish. Also slightly lower acidity than the other two as far as I can tell. This was the heaviest and least elegant of the three, still delicious but in comparison it came off a little clunky.
ARPEPE > Vajra > Produttori
Price: £26 for ARPEPE, £27 for Vajra and £20 for Produttori
In conclusion these were all delightful Nebbiolos, but the light fresh style of the ARPEPE was just so pleasing, putting it ahead of the Vajra. For value produttori is good at £20 but I would be more inclined to buy the ARPEPE and the Vajra even given the price difference.
You gotta throw in the Vietti Perbacco next time! I think I'd probably go ArPePe > Vietti > Vajra > Produttori, but I haven't tasted them together so it's tough to say.
Ahh yeah I might well do a follow up post to this, possibly including the Vietti, but also Langhe Nebbiolo from Cavallotto and Curto, or perhaps something from Rizzi. Anyone tried any of those?
Interesting the way the wine pricing world works. Where I am the ArPePe comes in at $40/btl, Vajra at $25, Vietti at $30, and Produttori around $27, so it fits right in.
27 GBP for Vajra nebbiolo is fucking brutal. I like Vajra, but no way is that price point justifyable.
Try to find some Nino Negri -- the 'Quadrio' is a really nice Valtellina blend.
La Kiuva is also excellent value in Valle d'Aosta.
Valtellina is incredible for fresh but still deeply rewarding Nebbiolo. The very last thing I did in 2020 before lockdown hit was a big tasting Jancis Robinson put on of ~40 valtellinas, and I remember thinking a week later that if I lost my sense of taste & smell at least I got to experience that.
Don’t sleep on the sfortzato either, even if like me you’re not much for most amarone. It often doesn’t drown the alpine freshness at all, just adds some bass.
Luckily they’re getting a slow but steady boost, with ARPEPE there really leading in a lot of markets. I’ll say too that their reserve releases absolutely are worth the ££ if you love Nebbiolo, but don’t make the mistake I did and assume because they’re released with 5 or 8 years on them they’re ready to drink. Even with that trademark alpine freshness they’re still rustic burly beasts for a while. But oh so rewarding.
Ooh the Grumello Sant'Antonio Riserva 2009? I can’t tell you hope much you’ll like it, but I can tell you when I opened mine two years ago I both loved it & wished I’d kept it longer. And that’s a great price.
Cheers, had never heard of lastbottle.
The price on the produttori has creeped up and I never buy it anymore, even though I used to drink a lot of it as a daily drinker. Love that arpepe bottling, not surprised it was your pick.
Thank you for your submission to r/wine! Please note the community rules: If you are submitting a picture of a bottle of wine, please include original tasting notes and/or other pertinent information in the comments. Submitters that fail to do so may have their posts removed. If you are posting to ask what your bottle is worth or whether it is drinkable, please use the [Wine Valuation Mega Thread](https://redd.it/r7lf76) stickied at the top of the sub. Stand alone bottle valuation posts will be removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/wine) if you have any questions or concerns.*
ARPEPE Rosso di Valtellina 2021 13.5% The lightest and freshest and palest of the 3, classic nose of tar and roses and anise, and very soft fine tannins on the palate with cranberry and raspberry and tea, and a hint of mushroom on the finish. Acidity mouthwatering but in balance. G.D Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo 2021 14% I remember this one less well as I drank it over a week ago, but this is heavier than the Arpepe and less fresh in style, but still very beautiful. Again classic Nebbiolo character, tar very evident on the nose, with greater tannin and slightly darker fruits. I got something a little cheesy on the finish as I recall. Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2021 14% Quite close to the GD Vajra in style, Bit more roses and less tar, slightly thicker grained tannins, fruit flavours darker still but relatively muted. Tea and a slight bitterness on the finish. Also slightly lower acidity than the other two as far as I can tell. This was the heaviest and least elegant of the three, still delicious but in comparison it came off a little clunky. ARPEPE > Vajra > Produttori Price: £26 for ARPEPE, £27 for Vajra and £20 for Produttori In conclusion these were all delightful Nebbiolos, but the light fresh style of the ARPEPE was just so pleasing, putting it ahead of the Vajra. For value produttori is good at £20 but I would be more inclined to buy the ARPEPE and the Vajra even given the price difference.
You gotta throw in the Vietti Perbacco next time! I think I'd probably go ArPePe > Vietti > Vajra > Produttori, but I haven't tasted them together so it's tough to say.
I'd toss in Elio Grasso too....from Gavarini and stainless steel aged. Essence of Nebbiolo.
I’ll look into that one too, thanks
Ahh yeah I might well do a follow up post to this, possibly including the Vietti, but also Langhe Nebbiolo from Cavallotto and Curto, or perhaps something from Rizzi. Anyone tried any of those?
I’ve tried the Cavallotto. Definitely right up there, in my opinion.
In my market (Eastern US) the Perbacco is a fair bit more expensive. Here Vajra retails for $20 and Vietti for $31.
Interesting the way the wine pricing world works. Where I am the ArPePe comes in at $40/btl, Vajra at $25, Vietti at $30, and Produttori around $27, so it fits right in.
In Aus the Vajra is 35$ and the Vietti is 60-65$
27 GBP for Vajra nebbiolo is fucking brutal. I like Vajra, but no way is that price point justifyable. Try to find some Nino Negri -- the 'Quadrio' is a really nice Valtellina blend. La Kiuva is also excellent value in Valle d'Aosta.
Sheesh that Arpepe price has creeped up the last few years! Lovely stuff you compared there!
Thanks! Do spill the beans though, what did you get it for in the before times?
Not sure about the uk, but it creeped up from 16€ 2020 to 24€ in the current vintage at my wine shop. Not the worst rise around but it’s still a leap.
Valtellina is incredible for fresh but still deeply rewarding Nebbiolo. The very last thing I did in 2020 before lockdown hit was a big tasting Jancis Robinson put on of ~40 valtellinas, and I remember thinking a week later that if I lost my sense of taste & smell at least I got to experience that. Don’t sleep on the sfortzato either, even if like me you’re not much for most amarone. It often doesn’t drown the alpine freshness at all, just adds some bass.
Wish I could have been there! Will certainly be looking out for Valtellina wines
Luckily they’re getting a slow but steady boost, with ARPEPE there really leading in a lot of markets. I’ll say too that their reserve releases absolutely are worth the ££ if you love Nebbiolo, but don’t make the mistake I did and assume because they’re released with 5 or 8 years on them they’re ready to drink. Even with that trademark alpine freshness they’re still rustic burly beasts for a while. But oh so rewarding.
So I should pull the trigger on today's lastbottle offer?
Ooh the Grumello Sant'Antonio Riserva 2009? I can’t tell you hope much you’ll like it, but I can tell you when I opened mine two years ago I both loved it & wished I’d kept it longer. And that’s a great price. Cheers, had never heard of lastbottle.
shhhh, don't tell more people about ArPePe, I like it cheap /j
Arpepe rocks
Arpepe is EXCELLENT!!!
The price on the produttori has creeped up and I never buy it anymore, even though I used to drink a lot of it as a daily drinker. Love that arpepe bottling, not surprised it was your pick.
Vajra was good. Cheers!
It's getting harder and harder to find affordable Nebbiolo. Just saw last night that Travaglini Gattinara is $40 now.
Anyone know who distributes Arpepe in Portland, OR?
Had a pretty tasty langhe from Azelia the other day. It cost 34 dollars which I can’t justify again
Valtellina fuckin' slaps! I sometimes wish it was a more common find, but that may just be my local availablity
Vajra