2015 Didier Gerbelle Valle d'Aosta Rosso 'Peque Na’

70% Cornalin, 15% Premietta, 15% Fumin from the Valle d’Aosta, bordering Switzerland in the extreme northwest of Italy. The Premietta is allowed tosun dry and raisin, much like Amarone. Destemmed and fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel before a year of aging in large Slavonian oak casks. 13% alcohol. Only 2,000 bottles made.  “Peque Na” means “why not?”  This unusual, unique and intense alpine Italian red shows off ripe red cherry, raisin, chocolate and balsamic alongside savory notes of black olive, tar, dried leaves and spicy cloves. Medium bodied and bone dry, with moderate tannins and acidity softened by bottle age. Rustic, savory and old-school Italian,  this will pair well with savory meat dishes like elk, bison or venison.