042 Rosso di Valtellina DOC 2016 - Plozza x 6

The Evolution of Chiavennasca in the 2016 Vintage: The Identity of Plot 042 Plozza

The Plozza 042 Rosso di Valtellina DOC 2016 stands within the northern Italian red wine landscape as an exceptionally deep, mature, and complex interpretation of mountain Nebbiolo. This historic Retiche winery conceived the "042" selection with the precise intent to demonstrate the extraordinary long-term aging potential of the Chiavennasca grape, even outside the traditional Superiore subzones. The agronomic project builds on the value of time, offering a still wine that has stood the test of years thanks to a slow, protective horizontal rest within the estate's historic cellars. The 042 commands attention in the glass as a proud, well-structured, and immensely charming red wine, explicitly dedicated to connoisseurs of tertiary profiles and high-altitude heroic viticulture.

Alpine Agronomic Notes and Extended Cellar Aging Protocol

The vineyards giving life to this cuvée develop on spectacular stone-walled terraces, where the loose soil is characterized by granitic rock fragments and fine sands. This pedoclimatic habitat of excellence benefits from radiant sun exposure and whipping alpine winds—ideal conditions for encouraging an optimal polyphenolic and sugar accumulation. The 2016 vintage, considered memorable in Valtellina due to its excellent climate trend, yielded healthy clusters dense in extracts. In the cellar, following a temperature-controlled fermentation with an extended skin-contact maceration, the mass underwent a structured aging path in oak casks, followed by a long horizontal bottle rest to polish the tannins, safeguarding an alcohol content of 13.00% Vol.

Sensory Profile and Organoleptic Parameters

The exceptional phenolic maturity of the 2016 vintage combined with extended dark cellaring outlines an organoleptic framework of imposing tertiary complexity for this precious, evolved Lombardia red wine.

• Blend and Classification: 100% Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) / Rosso di Valtellina DOC / Special evolved selection.
• Analytical Data (2016 Vintage): Alcohol Content: 13.00% Vol. / Extended wood and bottle maturation / Volume: 750 ml.
• Visual Assessment: Deep ruby red color enriched by marked, warm garnet and orange highlights upon swirling in the glass, perfectly mirroring its long evolutionary path and dense extractive viscosity.
• Olfactory Framework: Broad, tight, and beautifully complex tertiary bouquet. Consistent scents of plum jam, wild cherry in alcohol, and dark fruits stand out on the nose, perfectly integrated with refined background notes of dark tobacco, leather, sweet spices, cinnamon, balsamic puffs of resin, and a deep mineral flint and graphite trace.
• Palate Characteristics: The tasting reveals a dry, warm profile endowed with an enveloping mouthfeel. The progression displays a complex and well-structured body where a tight, fully polished tannic texture melts in perfect balance into a sharp mineral sapidity. The pour, fluid and caressing, advances toward a long, clean finish of extraordinary persistence.

Service Advice and Gastronomic Pairings

The thickness of the structural architecture, balanced tannins, and aromatic richness of this vintage Rosso di Valtellina qualify it as an ideal companion for fine dining and flavor-rich structured land-based cuisine.

• Stable Pairings: It pairs magnificently alongside second courses based on prominent baked red meats, complex roasts, rich stews, slow-cooked braised dishes, and structured preparations featuring game. It excels paired alongside savory first courses featuring rich meat sauces, baked lasagne, wild mushroom risottos, and traditional regional recipes like local Valtellina pizzoccheri. It displays fine synergy when paired alongside flavorful aged charcuterie and selections of long-aged alpine hard cheeses such as historical Bitto or Valtellina Casera.
• Serving Method: To promote the development of the rich tertiary profile and ensure proper tannin integration, opening the bottle and decanting it at least one hour in advance is recommended, using a wide tasting glass and a serving temperature of 16 - 18°C.