2015 Caven "Al Carmine” Valtellina Superiore DOCG Inferno Riserva

100% Nebbiolo, locally known as Chiavennasca, from mostly 60 year old vines from steep. terraced-vineyards on the north side of the valley, facing south (to receive maximum sunlight). All harvesting is done by hand using small baskets. This is called Heroic Winemaking as it is extremely laborious and time-consuming. The wine is vinified in steel tanks with maceration on the skins for about 10 days. Wine is then aged for 18 months in a combination of small and big oak barrels, then at least 8 months in bottle prior to release. This is the top wine of this family-owned producer and it is produced only in the best years. We'd put this wine up against the best from Piedmont! Wow, what depth, what complexity, what a long finish. Truly special. Inferno is one of five viticultural sub-zones specifically identified as producing Valtellina wines of particularly high quality. Inferno is considered to be the warmest of the sub-zones and produces wines that are relatively riper and more lush in texture than wines from the other sub-zones. Incredibly silky and refined, this exudes layers of ripe cherry, raspberry, violet, rose, cranberry, grenadine, tobacco, hints of tar and dried orange peel.