The beautiful Sandro Fay 2016 Sforzato di Valtellina Ronco del Picchio is a pure expression of Nebbiolo that goes by the name Chiavennasca in these parts. The grape is believed to have traveled to this special alpine site in the far north of Italy through the Chiavenna Valley that lends its name to the variety. Sandro Fay's terraced vineyards are depicted on the wine's front label, and you can see the protective wall of mountains behind them. This wine offers the power (with a 15.5% alcoholic content) and the velvety texture of air-dried fruit with cherry and redcurrant confit. Those dried fruit aromas (or the "Sforzato" part of the wine) lead to crushed rock, mountain herb, crushed stone and dried blue flower. The trick here is the altitude (this vineyard is located at an impressive 750 meters above se level) that maintains the acidity in the grapes needed to contrast the concentrated sugars of the appassimento process. Some 7,800 bottles were released.

Sleek and minerally, delivering lots of stone and smoke accents, as well as sculpted tannins finely meshed with the ripe red currant and cherry fruit, dried lavender and herbed olive flavors. Mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2029. 600 cases made, 75 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / Sforzato di Valtellina Select to Add