Winemaker Notes
The 2021 5 Stelle Sfursat Valtellina has an intense garnet color with ruby reflections. The bouquet is reminiscent of damp rock, undergrowth and ripe black plum with balsamic notes of laurel and basil. In the mouth, the tannins are rich and compact with an acidic freshness that accompanies a juicy and crisp fruit. The finish is long and savory.
Pairs well with red meats, game, and mature cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Cola, cherry jelly and blueberries. Medium-bodied with refreshing, integrated acidity and ripe, velvety, relaxing tannins. Good bay leaf finish.
Responsible for some of the most elegant and age-worthy wines in the world, Nebbiolo, named for the ubiquitous autumnal fog (called nebbia in Italian), is the star variety of northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Grown throughout the area, as well as in the neighboring Valle d’Aosta and Valtellina, it reaches its highest potential in the Piedmontese villages of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero. Outside of Italy, growers are still very much in the experimentation stage but some success has been achieved in parts of California. Somm Secret—If you’re new to Nebbiolo, start with a charming, wallet-friendly, early-drinking Langhe Nebbiolo or Nebbiolo d'Alba.
Containing an exciting mix of wine producing subregions, Lombardy is Italy’s largest in size and population. Good quality Pinot noir, Bonarda and Barbera have elevated the reputation of the plains of Oltrepò Pavese. To its northeast in the Alps, Valtellina is the source of Italy’s best Nebbiolo wines outside of Piedmont. Often missed in the shadow of Prosecco, Franciacorta produces collectively Italy’s best Champagne style wines, and for the fun and less serious bubbly, find Lambrusco Mantovano around the city of Mantua. Lugana, a dry white with a devoted following, is produced to the southwest of Lake Garda.