2016 Rainoldi 'Prugnolo' Valtellina

We are always on the lookout for new Nebbiolo here. Sometimes that means we venture outside of Barolo and Barbaresco. Occasionally our search leads us to gold like the wines of Rainoldi in Valtelina. The Family has been producing wines in this region since the late '50s but has been working in wine since the beginning of the 20th century. The estate has made big steps toward sustainability, with no plow agriculture, hydroelectric energy, and even minimizing their packing materials. This is the estates lighter take on Nebbiolo. 

Prugnolo is the Italian name of the Prunus Spinosa, or wild plum. This bush grows close to the vineyards and its berries ripen near harvest time. Grapes for this wine are grown at various altitudes, so they are harvested and vinified separately, depending on the altitude of the vineyard, allowing each grape to achieve its ideal ripeness.

Rainoldi strives to produce top-quality wine that respects both family tradition and the environment. Each parcel is harvested based on its altitude in order to maintain the right ripeness, and is vinified separately in a newly-installed, high-tech winemaking cellar. Due to the extreme steepness of each parcel in Valtellina, grapes are hand-harvested and then carried out by helicopter.

Aging: 15 months in small, six year old Slovenian and French Oak barrels

Ruby red color. On the nose there are hints of plum, small red fruits. In the mouth it is soft, round, very drinkable. It is a particularly versatile and balanced wine.

NYR

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