Nino Negri Valtellina Superiore Inferno Ca' Guicciardi DOCG 2019
(Lombardy, Italy) - [WS 94, #63 Top 100 Of 2023] [JS 93]
Regular price $95.00 Sale price $61.97 Save $33.03
About the Winery:
Established in 1897, Nino Negri is the premier estate producing wine in the Valtellina DOCG in Italy’s Lombardy region. The estate specialty is Sfursat (“strained” or “forced”); a wine made from grapes harvested by trained pickers and dried for 100 days in the cool, dry, alpine air. This winemaking style combines the opulence of Amarone with the elegant complexity of Barolo. The success of Nino Negri is due largely to the efforts of winemaker Casimiro Maule who has worked at the estate since 1971, his entire professional life. In 2007, Casimiro was named “Winemaker of the Year” by Gambero Rosso, the magazine authority in Italian wine. Nino Negri controls almost 400 acres of the finest Chiavennasca vineyards in the Valtellina Superiore subzones. The estate directly owns 75 acres of exceptional vineyards.
About this wine
The Nino Negri Inferno is sourced from the best crus of the Inferno subzones of Calvario, Sopragironi, Sottogironi and Ca Rossa. Grapes are densely cultivated high on the terraced hillside in poor, sandy soils and a due-south exposure. Grapes are hand-harvested in early October and transported to the winery where they are sorted and macerated at cold temperatures for five days in stainless steel vats. Aging occurs over a period of 20-24 months in a combination of 80hl and smaller 50hl French oak barrels. Inferno is deep garnet in color with a well pronounced perfume of spice, dried flowers, plum and jam. On the palate the wine is full-bodied and dry with elegant notes of berry, herb, cedar-spice.
Established in 1897, Nino Negri is the premier estate producing wine in the Valtellina DOCG in Italy’s Lombardy region. The estate specialty is Sfursat (“strained” or “forced”); a wine made from grapes harvested by trained pickers and dried for 100 days in the cool, dry, alpine air. This winemaking style combines the opulence of Amarone with the elegant complexity of Barolo. The success of Nino Negri is due largely to the efforts of winemaker Casimiro Maule who has worked at the estate since 1971, his entire professional life. In 2007, Casimiro was named “Winemaker of the Year” by Gambero Rosso, the magazine authority in Italian wine. Nino Negri controls almost 400 acres of the finest Chiavennasca vineyards in the Valtellina Superiore subzones. The estate directly owns 75 acres of exceptional vineyards.
About this wine
The Nino Negri Inferno is sourced from the best crus of the Inferno subzones of Calvario, Sopragironi, Sottogironi and Ca Rossa. Grapes are densely cultivated high on the terraced hillside in poor, sandy soils and a due-south exposure. Grapes are hand-harvested in early October and transported to the winery where they are sorted and macerated at cold temperatures for five days in stainless steel vats. Aging occurs over a period of 20-24 months in a combination of 80hl and smaller 50hl French oak barrels. Inferno is deep garnet in color with a well pronounced perfume of spice, dried flowers, plum and jam. On the palate the wine is full-bodied and dry with elegant notes of berry, herb, cedar-spice.
Ratings & Reviews:
94 Points, #63 Top 100 Of 2023 - Wine Spectator:
"An elegant red, with well-integrated minerally overtones, fresh juiciness and a plush texture, plus flavors of wild strawberry, fine tobacco, iron, orange peel and a touch of red licorice. The well-spiced finish keeps drawing you back for another sip. Drink now through 2030. 1,250 squares made, 500 squares imported." - AN (Jun 2023)
93 Points - James Suckling:
"Sweet berry and cherry with some lemon and orange-peel character. Watermelon, too. Medium body. Medium, round tannins and a creamy finish. Lovely texture and flavors here. Drink or hold." (Aug 2022)
