Rainoldi, Casa Vinicola Aldo

http://www.rainoldi.com

Estate grown and bottled by one of the finest producers in Lombardy, the wines from this area come from vineyards that are in fact only a series of small terraces clinging to the live rock of a small stretch of mountain located on the Italian-Swiss border. Due to the rugged and steep nature of the small terraced vineyards, the grapes are hand picked.

The principal grape of the region is Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo), made famous by Barolo and Barbaresco in neighbouring Piedmont; small amounts of Pinot Nero and Pignola are grown as well.

 

Rainoldi uses 100% Nebbiolo to produce his D.O.C. Superiore (and after the 1999 Vintage, they will be re-designated as D.O.C.G.) and his Riserva wines. These wines have amazing ageing potential.

Valtellina DOC Sfursat 1999

The characteristics of this wine derive from a particular production method. Sfursat (meaning "strained" in local dialect) is in fact the result of making wine from 100% (Chiavennasca) Nebbiolo grapes picked in late October that have been left to dry on mats until early February so that the sugar content is concentrated and a special harmonious taste is developed. In the Veneto region, Amarone is made this same way.

 

Deep garnet red in colour, it is an alcoholic wine, full, smooth, with an intense, complex bouquet, and should be drunk with roast dinner or, warmed in large glasses, sipped at the end of dinner as a wine for meditation.

A wine suitable for long ageing. Best decanted and left to breathe for 1 to 2 hours prior to enjoying it magnificance at 18 - 20°C.

SKU 023010

Valtellina DOC Sfursat Fruttaio Ca' Rizzieri 1999

A robust wine with high alcoholic content, obtained only from favourable vintages of a selection of Nebbiolo grapes estate grown on the high terraces on the Italian-Swiss border.

 

The grapes are dried for three months (like Amarone form Veneto) before a second selection and pressing. It is characterized by a Burgundy red colour, intense and spicy bouquet, with clear notes of coffee, cocoa, roasted hazelnut and dried grape.

 

Warm, vigorous with a full, austere rounded and balanced flavour with hints of new wood that is delicate and refined.

 

Tre Bicchieri - Gambero Rosso 2003

SKU 715318

Valtellina Superiore DOCG Crespino 1999

When the colours of "Il Crespino" (the bramble rose berry) reach the height of their splendour, then it is the ideal moment to harvest the Nebbiolo grapes that come from the terraces clinging to live rock in the sub-area of Valtellina Superiore.

 

Estate grown and produced only in the best vintages. Both the fermentation and maturation take place in lightly toasted "Allier" barriques over a period of 15 months. The wine is then refined in bottle for an additional 12 months in cool dark cellars before being released.

 

A ruby red colour, a delicate bouquet of hazelnut, ethereal, with hints of oak, a clear flavour , tannic to the right extent and very well balanced. Slightly reminiscent of fine Burgundy. Serve with red meats and mature cheese. This wine requires decanting and large glasses to best appreciate its complexities.

 

Due Bicchieri - Gambero Rosso

SKU 715557