Cinquanta/50 Terrazze Retiche di Sondrio IGT 2017 - Plozza x 6

The Harmony of Mountain Nebbiolo in the 2017 Vintage: The Philosophy of Plozza Cinquanta

The Plozza Cinquanta Terrazze Retiche di Sondrio IGT 2017 stands within the premium northern Italian red wine landscape as a model of extraordinary expressive fineness, regional accuracy, and structural depth. This historic Retiche winery conceived the "50" selection with the firm intention to demonstrate how the Nebbiolo grape (locally named Chiavennasca), grown on the steepest terraces, can merge an aristocratic elegance with a proud and enveloping character. The agronomic project builds on the mineral strength of the terroir and the value of time, delivering a still organic red wine endowed with a proud character and an impeccable formal fineness, explicitly designed to evolve beautifully over the years within prestigious international collections.

Alpine Agronomic Notes and Cellar Aging Protocol

The vineyards delve their roots into spectacular stone-walled terraces characterized by loose soils with a strong matrix of weathered granitic rock and fine sands—an excellent pedoclimatic habitat that benefits from radiant sun exposure and sharp diurnal temperature shifts between day and night. The climate trend of the 2017 vintage favored an optimal balance between phenolic ripening and the grape's sharp acidic backbone. Following the parcellized manual harvest, processing applies strict technological criteria oriented toward maximum protection of fruit integrity: the must undergoes alcoholic fermentation inside temperature-controlled vats with gentle macerations. The subsequent aging path requires an extended rest in oak barrels and barriques followed by bottle aging, safeguarding an alcohol content of 14.00% Vol.

Sensory Profile and Organoleptic Assessment

Measured horizontal rest in the darkness of the cellar combined with the deep mineral richness of the Retiche Alps outlines an organoleptic framework of imposing olfactory breadth for this authoritative Lombardia red wine.

• Blend and Classification: 100% Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) / Terrazze Retiche di Sondrio IGT / Still red wine.
• Analytical Data (2017 Vintage): Alcohol Content: 14.00% Vol. / Extended oak maturation / Volume: 750 ml.
• Visual Assessment: Deep ruby red color, limpid and of excellent brilliance in the glass, enriched by warm, brilliant garnet highlights upon swirling, demonstrating dense viscosity and extractive thickness.
• Olfactory Framework: Broad, tight, and beautifully complex tertiary bouquet. A refined profile emerges on the nose, dominated by consistent scents of ripe cherry, plum, and small black fruits, perfectly integrated with intense medicinal fragrances, notes of sweet spices, dark leather, tobacco, licorice, and background refreshing balsamic puffs.
• Palate Characteristics: The tasting reveals a dry, warm profile endowed with an enveloping mouthfeel. The progression displays a robust, full, and well-structured body driven by a vibrant acidic backbone that balances the alcohol warmth and adds dynamism to the pour. The tannic texture is fine, silky, and perfectly polished, guiding development toward a long, savory finish of extraordinary persistence.

Service Advice and Gastronomic Pairings

The thickness of the structural architecture, balanced tannins, and aromatic richness of this signature Cinquanta 2017 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 complex preparations featuring furred or feathered game. It excels paired alongside structured first courses featuring rich meat sauces, wild mushroom risottos, and traditional regional recipes like local Valtellina pizzoccheri rich in melted butter. 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 in advance is recommended, using a wide tasting glass and a serving temperature of 16 - 18°C