Casa Vinicola Nera SASSELLA RISERVA DOCG Valtellina Lombardia

Valtellina’s steep, terraced vineyards along the Adda valley are some of the most dramatic in Italy. Nebbiolo is the main grape variety, although it is known locally as Chiavennasca. In good vintages, the delicate floral aromas produced by sub-Alpine Nebbiolo are backed up by good fruit concentration. Nera are amongst the area’s most serious producers with 48ha of prime vineyards. Winemaker Stefano Nera produces the elegant wines Sassella as well as Inferno and both have real complexity and intensity. This wine is a blend of Nebbiolo and a little of the local grape varieties Pignola, Brugnola e Rossola. Red ruby in colour with a vinous bouquet, dry, warm, consistent and fine, this wine has lots of character. (12 x 75 cl)

Mature, garnet red colour. Complex, ethereal nose with perfumes of sweet spice and tar. Elegant, smooth palate with ripe fruit and a fine, tannic finish (12 x 75 cl)

Made from selected grapes dried on mats, this mature, deep garnet red wine has a concentrated, rich aroma with hints of violet. The palate is very full, soft and velvety with a long, tarry finish (12 x 75 cl)

Red garnet in colour, ethereal bouquet, smooth and austere (12 x 75 cl)

Casa Vinicola Nera SOREL delle Terrazze Retiche di Sondrio IGT Valtellina Lombardia from Italy, Lombardy, Valtellina by Casa Vinicola Nera (6 x 75 cl)

With the Riserva, the grapes are selected from vineyards located at an altitude of 300-400 metres. It is aged for 5 years in oak. The wine is ruby red turning to garnet with age. The taste is dry. Full-bodied, well-balanced, velvety, smooth and harmonious. A wine of incredible value. (12 x 75 cl)

Sassella is the second, in size, of the four sub-zones of the DOCG Valtellina Superiore: about 150 hectares, from Castione Andevenno to the gates of Sondrio. The name comes from the chapel of Sassella at the base of the headland of the same name. A blend of 90% Chiavennasca ; 10% Pignola Valtellina and Pinot Nero from selected vineyards in the sub-zone of Sassella at 350-500 metres altitude. The ripe grapes, harvested between the middle of October and early November, are vinified by the traditional red wine method, with ten days maceration of the skins in the must; the fermentation takes place at 28-30°C. The new wine stays in stainless steel tanks until March; then matures for 12 months in Slavonian oak vats and it rests in bottle for at least three months. Ruby red colour with garnet hues and an intense, elegant bouquet with hints of raspberry preserve, resin and tar with suggestions of dried flowers and of cloves. A dry, firm, balanced flavour with a distinctive, lingering aftertaste of prunes and toasted almonds make this a wine to savour. (6 x 75 cl)

Sassella is the second, in size, of the four sub-zones of the DOCG Valtellina Superiore: about 150 hectares, from Castione Andevenno to the gates of Sondrio. The name comes from the chapel of Sassella at the base of the headland of the same name. A blend of 90% Chiavennasca ; 10% Pignola Valtellina and Pinot Nero from selected vineyards in the sub-zone of Sassella at 350-500 metres altitude. The ripe grapes, harvested between the middle of October and early November, are vinified by the traditional red wine method, with ten days maceration of the skins in the must; the fermentation takes place at 28-30°C. The new wine stays in stainless steel tanks until March; then matures for 12 months in Slavonian oak vats and it rests in bottle for at least three months. Ruby red colour with garnet hues and an intense, elegant bouquet with hints of raspberry preserve, resin and tar with suggestions of dried flowers and of cloves. A dry, firm, balanced flavour with a distinctive, lingering aftertaste of prunes and toasted almonds make this a wine to savour. (6 x 75 cl)

Brilliant purple red with a hint of violets. Warm and elegant oaky bouquet. Persistent, dry, full body with great character. (12 x 75 cl)