Rainoldi Inferno Riserva Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2018 (750ml) *

In the steep terraces of Valtellina, high in the Alps of northern Lombardy, Nebbiolo goes by the local name Chiavennasca and takes on a leaner, more mountainous cast than its Piedmontese cousins. This is the grape grown in the Inferno subzone, one of the warmer pockets of the valley, and bottled by Rainoldi as a Riserva under the Valtellina Superiore designation, which calls for extended aging before release. The 2018 vintage sits in that alpine style: structured, savory, built to unwind over years rather than months.

Expect macerated cherry up front, threaded with licorice, sweet spice, leather, and a lift of orange zest. There's a touch of vanillin and oak sweetness in the mix, but it's judged well and folds into the whole rather than sitting on top. The overall impression is racy and inviting, a wine with alpine energy and genuine allure that will reward patience over the coming decade.