Alpine Wines

The first, and the most important wine of the estate, is the Sassella Valtellina Superiore ‘Grisone’. In 2017, it was the only wine they made, and therefore includes fruit from all three of the estate’s vineyards, with schist terraces between 350m and 550m above sea level, including the old Mossino vineyard, with vines of over 100 years old. Delicate in colour, but with incredibly vibrant fruit, notes of wild berries, freshly cut herbs, and lots of floral notes, this is a brilliant Nebbiolo.

Alfio makes a tiny quantity - just 2,000 bottles - of Sforzato di Valtellina: an Amarone-like dry wine, made from dried Nebbiolo grapes. Still delicate in colour, the nose is beautifully perfumed: this is recognisably Nebbiolo. The palate has a weight and power to it, and notes of dried fruit and dried herbs, but it doesn’t have the overripeness of Amarone. Brilliantly balanced, and very long and finely judged.

In the finest vintages, such as 2016, Alfio makes a tiny quantity of Riserva, with just 2,500 bottles produced in 2016. This all comes from the Mossino vineyard, their highest plot, planted in an amphitheatre that points due south. A blend of old and young vines, and a little of the high-acid Rossola, creates a wine of incredible focus, purity, and intensity. The nose here is so mineral, with a slight iodine note and blood orange, and a very long finish.

This cuvée is an homage to Stéphane's father, André (dédé/DD) who began making this wine. It is a blend of Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Poulsard which is made in a "glouglou" style without sulphur for easy drinking. Its long, gentle fermentation and ageing in hundred-year-old foudres preserve the natural freshness of the varieties. It is bottled with a little more CO2 than most wines to compensate for the lack of added sulphur dioxide. This provides a prickle of freshness, and a quick carafing might be advised. This quintessentially Jurassic red is wonderful for early, easy drinking.

This wine is a labour of love. The Trousseau bunches are hand destemmed before undergoing carbonic maceration for three weeks, followed by a further two weeks maceration with gentle plunging. The wine has a beautiful aroma of rhubarb and raspberries, with a pure, red berry thread of acidity weaving through the palate. Light, but firm, this is a fresh and energetic example of Jurassic reds.

This cuvée is an homage to Stéphane's father, André (dédé/DD) who began making this wine. It is a blend of Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Poulsard which is made in a "glouglou" style without sulphur for easy drinking. Its long, gentle fermentation and ageing in hundred-year-old foudres preserve the natural freshness of the varieties. It is bottled with a little more CO2 than most wines to compensate for the lack of added sulphur dioxide. This provides a prickle of freshness, and a quick carafing might be advised. This quintessentially Jurassic red is wonderful for early, easy drinking.

65% Gamay de Chautagne, 25% Mondeuse, 10% Persan. A beautiful pale ruby from a super-star Savoie domaine. It is lightly scented with wild cherries, Alpine strawberries, and a light graphite smokiness. Its sappy adicity and fine sweet tannins combine in this distinctive and delicious mountain red.

The Cornalin is floral, delicate, and a brilliant example of a mountain red. Notes of wild herbs and very pure morello cherry fruit make this a brilliant match for charcuterie, and other mountain fare.

Of Robert’s international varieties, his Syrah is our pick: it’s a peppery, dark fruited wine, with silky tannins and an elegance that wouldn’t look totally out of place a few hundred kilometres down the Rhône in Côte-Rôtie.

The Humagne Rouge is juicy and floral, with silky tannins, and a slightly savoury finish. Notes of cherries and plenty of fresh spice complete the picture on a delicious wine.