Sforzato della Valtellina '5 Stelle' Nino Negri 2020

Sforzato "5 Stelle" is the spearhead of the prestigious Nino Negri signature collection. Valtellina enclosed in a glass: this could be the title of the territorial and expressive "5 Stelle" wine, made by a winery that has made the history of red winemaking in Lombardy and beyond. In fact, it was 1956 when the Nino Negri estate made the first Sfursat with natural appassimento on the grapes, an experiment that, in a few years, would become the example to follow for the great producers in the area. To this day, this wine is among the most famous and prestigious expressions of Italy, an indelible mark in the galaxy of Italian reds.

"5 Stelle" Nino Negri is a Sforzato made from the best Nebbiolo grapes, locally called Chiavennasca, grown on the rugged and inhospitable soils in the heart of Valtellina. The clusters are left to dry naturally for about 90 days to better concentrate the sugars and reduce the water content. Then begins the vinification phase, which involves fermentation in steel with long skin contact. Its journey ends in French Allier barriques, where it rests for 16 months.

Sfursat "5 Stelle" has an elegant deep red coat crossed by flashes of garnet. The nose is a rhythmic succession of varied sensations of dried fruit, red fruit under spirits, vanilla and menthol, with returns of cocoa and liquorice against a peppery background. Gustatory examination reveals a full and robust framework, vigorous and harmonious, gripped by sweet tannins and intense softness. The finish is persistent and interminable, ennobling an aristocratic drink. Try it on savoury and intense dishes, such as aged or braised cheeses and stews. A champion of pleasantness!