Valtellina Superiore Inferno Riserva Sesto Canto ArPePe 2018 (750ML)

95 Points, Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast: "Inferno earns its subzone name and then defies it. Baked cherry and plum, wild mint and sun-warmed flowers all suggest heat and depth, river stones radiating beneath. But the palate pivots, fruit plump and present yet crackling with alpine energy and verve that only high mountain farming can produce. Drink now through 2050." 11/26

95 Points, Kerin O'Keefe, KerinOKeefe.com: "Red berry, lavender, wet stone, Asian spice and Alpine herb aromas form the nose on the fragrant, finessed 2018 Sesto Canto Riserva along with a whiff of sun-warmed hay. All about elegance and energy, the linear, vibrant palate features cranberry, pomegranate, crushed mint, white pepper and blood orange before a black tea finish. Refined, glossy tannins and great acidity provide support and balance. Drink 2026–2038." 01/25

94 Points, Antonio Galloni, Antonio Galloni: "The 2018 Valtellina Superiore Inferno Riserva Sesto Canto is poised, elegant and exceptionally polished. Brisk acids and beams of supporting tannin give this deceptively mid-weight Riserva tons of energy. The 2018 remains vibrant and super-expressive, perhaps a bit linear, but immensely enjoyable just the same." 02/26

98 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "My favorite wine from the region this year is the outstanding Ar. Pe. Pe. 2018 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Inferno Sesto Canto, dressed in a bright orange label. The wine's luminous ruby color is lovely, and compared to the Grumello, the Inferno offers a brighter register of red fruit. Its mineral tones feel more seamlessly folded into dried cherry and redcurrant, with flint and smoke taking the place of the more overt iron ore sensations found in its sibling. Dried blue violet adds a delicate floral accent. There is some pretty fruit ripeness, noted again on a second tasting, but the wine retains beautiful transparency and finesse, with fine, silky tannins. You can enjoy the wine now or give it more time. Fruit comes from a south-facing vineyard at 450 meters in altitude on sandy soils over fractured granite. An impressive 137-day maceration in 50-hectoliter wooden vats is followed by 42 months of aging across large wooden vats and casks, stainless steel and bottle. The relatively warm 2018 vintage yielded healthy grapes with good freshness, allowing the estate to extend maceration beyond 130 days for all three Riservas. The historic casks are made from chestnut, oak and acacia, and the wines have been aging in bottle since July 2023. Alcohol is 14%, and production totals just 6,226 bottles. What a beauty." 10/26