Nino Negri : Vigna Sassorosso 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for Nino Negri’s Vigna Sassorosso 2021

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a bright, translucent ruby-red hue, enhanced by distinctive garnet highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity. It opens with notes of fresh red fruits, notably blackberry, redcurrant, cherry, and raspberry, alongside elegant floral nuances of violet and rose. Mineral, earthy aromas reminiscent of crushed stone emerge, reflecting the vineyard’s unique geological character. With aeration, hints of sweet spices, dried herbs recalling oregano and thyme, and subtle tobacco notes further enrich the bouquet.

Palate

The attack is dense and silky, with a fine, well-integrated tannic structure. The wine shows a medium body that allows its mineral, terroir-driven character to fully express itself. Concentrated flavors of red and black fruits, notably cherry, plum, raspberry, and wild berries, harmonize with earthy, mineral notes evoking graphite and crushed rock. Nuances of anise, licorice, fresh herbs, and leather gradually appear. Lively acidity maintains freshness and balance throughout. The finish stands out for its remarkable length and aromatic persistence.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs beautifully with pasta, white and red meats, as well as medium-aged cheeses. It is particularly well suited to braised and slow-cooked red meats, roast veal in sauce, lamb with aromatic herbs, and rabbit casserole with olives. Mushroom-based dishes, notably porcini risotto or truffle pasta, create remarkable harmonies. Long-aged Alpine cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano aged over twenty-four months, as well as mature pecorinos also make excellent pairings.

Service and storage

Vigna Sassorosso 2021 offers considerable aging potential thanks to its tannic structure, balanced acidity, and pronounced mineral character.

A Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo shaped by Lombardy’s heroic viticulture

The estate

Founded in 1897 in Chiuro, in the Valtellina Valley in Lombardy, Nino Negri is one of the most remarkable expressions of Italian Alpine viticulture. Established in the Quadrio Castle, a historic 15th-century property, the House grew under the visionary leadership of Carlo Negri for fifty years, then of oenologist Casimiro Maule for four decades. Acquired in 1986 by Gruppo Italiano Vini, the estate is now led by winemaker Danilo Drocco. With thirty-eight hectares of vineyards spread across Valtellina’s most prestigious sub-zones, Nino Negri accounts for around 30% of regional production and embodies the excellence of Alpine heroic viticulture.

The vineyard

The Vigna Sassorosso vineyard covers around eleven hectares in the Grumello sub-zone of the Valtellina Superiore appellation. Located between 270 and 480 meters above sea level, this exceptional site stands out for its geological isolation and centuries-old glacial shaping. The soils, only a few centimeters deep, rest on a rocky substratum with iron oxide inclusions that give the rock its characteristic reddish color, the origin of the name Sassorosso. Dry-stone terraces support the plots on slopes facing south, southeast, and southwest, ensuring maximum sun exposure. The soils’ low-fertility sandy-silty composition, combined with the underlying granite and schist, forces roots to penetrate deep into the rock, promoting exceptional mineral concentration in the grapes.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Vigna Sassorosso 2021 are harvested by hand, then fully destemmed and crushed before fermentation. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature between 25 and 28°C, optimizing extraction of aromatic and tannic compounds. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, which softens acidity and adds complexity. Aging lasts at least twelve months in medium-sized oak casks, with a portion of the wine spending time in smaller French oak barriques. This approach preserves the terroir’s mineral expression while adding structure and complexity. A minimum of six months of bottle aging precedes release, ensuring optimal maturation before it reaches the market.

Grape variety

This Lombardy wine is 100% Nebbiolo.