2019 Rivetti & Lauro, Sotamà, IGT Rosso, Valtellina, Italy.
The Sotamà IGT Rosso is a unique Valtellina blend of Nebbioilo and Syrah grown on sandy clay dominated soils at high elevations in this remote area in Lambardy in one of Italy’s Alpine regions that sees some fantastic Nebbiolo offerings. This vintage of Rivetti & Lauro’s Sotamà is made up of 90% Nebbiolo and what the winery says 10% Shiraz (Syrah) that gives this wine its charm, distinction and singular personality with a full bodied palate of brandied cherry, damson plum, strawberry and blueberry fruits, as well as some Umami savory elements, wild herbs, licorice, a touch of cedar, baking spices, mocha, earthy truffle and dried flowers. This wine was created from hand harvested grapes, 100% de-stemmed, that were fermented and macerated in small stainless steel tanks with gentle extraction, after which it was aged 12 months in one time filled French oak barrels. In recent years I’ve become a fan of these Rivetti & Lauro wines, especially the cru Valtellina Superiore, especially the gorgeous Sassella bottling. The Nebbiolo dominates here, but the Syrah plays a nice role, adding blue fruits, a meaty note and the vanilla scented and toasty oak frame this wine with a sense of grace and this wine is a tasty value, making it an easy to recommend effort. I have added Rivetti & Lauro to my list of Valtellina producers to follow, along with another new favorite, Tenuta Scerscé, as well as long time favorites Nino Negri, Nobili, Alfio Mozzi, Conti Sertoli Salis and in particular Ar. Pe Pe (Arpepe). These vineyards of Valtellina are the largest terraced wine-growing area in the whole of the Italian mountains and its remote location make it an under the radar gem and a bit of a mystery to uncover with glorious rewards in the bottles.
As I’ve said before, If you’d not discovered Valtellina, above Milan and the lake district, yet, it is a great time to get started and this wine should be one on your list of must try options from this intriguing part of Northern Italy. The wines here are age worthy with supple tannins and Rivetti & Lauro say the wines tell the tale centuries of history and local traditions, that are infused in the place. These vineyards are the largest terraced wine-growing area in the whole of the Italian mountains and its remote location make it an under the radar gem and a bit of a mystery to uncover with glorious rewards in the bottles. The Valtellina region, as mentioned in my reviews from here and prior notes on Rivetti & Lauro wines, is a high Alpine valley in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, bordering Switzerland and renown for its mountain Nebbiolo wines, which have really gained worldwide attention in recent times, even though this area has flourished since Roman times. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the Valtellina region belonged to what was know as the Three Leagues (the “Grey Leagues”), which was then a mutual-defense zone that was independent of Switzerland, but was part the easternmost Swiss Canton of Graubünden. This remote area in which German, Romansh, Lombard and Italian languages are all spoken, the region became known variously as Veltlin, or Westtirol (West Tyrol) in the 1800s, and today it is one of the most respected wine regions. The Rivetti & Lauro Uì Sassella Valtellina Superiore DOCG, as mentioned is one of my favorites here, but this Sotamà is really delicious and easy on the wallet and will go great with a variety of cuisine and dishes, with meat and hard cheeses being good options to bring out its best.
($23 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive