Passione Alpi Retiche IGT 2016 - Plozza x 6

The Harmony of Late-Harvested Nebbiolo in High Altitudes: The Genesis of Plozza Passione Cuvée

The Plozza Passione Alpi Retiche IGT 2016 stands at the absolute pinnacle of premium mountain winemaking as a model of extraordinary opulence, noble rigor, and structural depth. This historic Valtellina winery conceived the "Passione" selection to merge the austere character of the Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) grape with an artisanal technique aimed at the maximum extractive concentration of the berries. The project develops through meticulous vineyard care and a measured rest, delivering a still red wine capable of challenging the evolution of time within the most important international collections. A monumental, proud, and deep bottle, explicitly designed for those seeking an enveloping pour capable of moving from the very first taste.

Agronomic Notes: The Historical 2016 Vintage and Partial Drying Technique

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 encourages a perfect natural water drainage. The 2016 vintage benefited from an exceptional seasonal trend, yielding healthy clusters dense in stable extracts. The manual harvest involves a strict selection on the vine: the grapes are left to partially dry in ventilated rooms to concentrate sugars and the natural polyphenolic depth of the skin. In the cellar, vinification takes place in temperature-controlled vats with extended macerations, followed by a structured evolutionary path in oak barrels and new barriques to polish the tannins and build a powerful alcohol content of 15.50% Vol.

Sensory Profile and Organoleptic Assessment

Artisanal protective vinification combined with extended dark cellaring in fine wood outlines an organoleptic framework of imposing tertiary complexity for this precious Lombardia red wine.

• Blend and Classification: 100% Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) / Alpi Retiche IGT / Still red wine from partially dried grapes.
• Analytical Data (2016 Vintage): Alcohol Content: 15.50% Vol. / Controlled natural drying / Maturation in oak / Volume: 750 ml.
• Visual Assessment: Deep ruby garnet color of imposing chromatic density, enriched by warm, brilliant orange highlights upon swirling in the glass, demonstrating a dense viscosity and significant extractive thickness.
• Olfactory Framework: Broad, tight, and beautifully complex tertiary bouquet. A refined profile emerges on the nose, dominated by consistent scents of plum jam, wild cherry in alcohol, dried figs, and raisins, perfectly integrated with intense notes of dark chocolate, roasted coffee powder, sweet pipe tobacco, leather, dark spices, background balsamic puffs, and a deep graphite mineral trace.
• Palate Characteristics: The tasting reveals a dry, warm profile endowed with an enveloping mouthfeel of imposing breadth. The progression displays a robust, full, and extraordinarily structured body where the exuberant alcohol power is masterfully supported by a vibrant acidic backbone that adds dynamism to the pour. The tannic texture is tight, silky, and perfectly polished, guiding development toward a monumental, savory finish of extraordinary persistence.

Service Advice and Gastronomic Pairings

The thickness of the structural architecture, balanced tannins, and aromatic richness of this vintage Passione 2016 qualify it as an ideal companion for fine dining, succulent land-based cuisine, or as a superb meditation wine.

• 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 game, such as wild boar or venison stew. It excels paired alongside traditional regional recipes like local Valtellina pizzoccheri rich in butter and long-aged alpine hard cheeses, historical Bitto, or aged Valtellina Casera. It finds a magnificent match at the end of the meal if consumed on its own or paired alongside high-percentage dark chocolate.
• Serving Method: To promote the development of the rich tertiary profile and ensure proper tannin integration, opening the bottle and decanting it at least two hours in advance is recommended, using a wide tasting glass and a serving temperature of 16 - 18°C.