Sommet Nebbiolo Valle d’Aosta DOP - Les Cretes

Sommet Nebbiolo Valle d’Aosta DOP - Les Cretes presents itself in the glass in a deep ruby red with a slightly lightening rim, reminiscent of ripe cherries. The nose reveals a multifaceted spectrum of aromas ranging from juicy blackberry, dark cherry and wild forest fruits to fine spicy nuances of black pepper, liquorice, dried herbs and a hint of violet. A delicate note of graphite and fine wood rounds off the bouquet, lending the wine an elegant, alpine precision.

On the palate, the wine is dry, clearly structured and at the same time silky. The texture feels velvety and glides smoothly across the tongue, while fine yet present tannins provide grip and tension. The acidity is lively and precise, carrying the juicy cherry and blackberry fruit and giving the wine a taut, linear style. The body is medium to full, without heaviness, with a harmonious interplay of fruit, spice and mineral drive. The finish is long and deep, with notes of sour cherry, spices and a subtle, stony freshness.

This red wine is made from the Nebbiolo grape variety and comes from the Aosta Valley in Italy’s far north-west. Its alpine origins clearly shape its character: cool nights, intense sunshine and steep vineyards yield grapes of notable aromatic concentration. The style lies somewhere between mountain elegance and Piedmontese finesse, while displaying a distinctive, crystal-clear signature of its own.

• Grape variety: 100% Nebbiolo, made as a varietal wine
• Origin: Valle d’Aosta / Vallée d’Aoste DOP, Italy
• Alcohol content: 13.5% ABV
• Wine type: dry red wine with focused structure
• Texture: velvety, silky, with fine-grained tannins
• Aromatic profile: blackberry, cherry, spicy notes, floral nuances
• Glass recommendation: an elegant red wine glass to showcase structure and aroma

1. Intense aromas of dark berries and cherries
2. Spicy, slightly floral accents on the nose and palate
3. Precise, lively acidity with fine tannins
4. Long, multifaceted finish with mineral tension
5. Alpine origins creating a clear, elegant style

Production of the Sommet Nebbiolo Valle d’Aosta DOP by Les Cretes

The grapes for the Sommet Nebbiolo Valle d’Aosta DOP - Les Cretes come from high-altitude vineyards in the Aosta Valley, nestled between majestic Alpine ranges. The climate features marked temperature differences between day and night, intensifying the development of aromas and lending the Nebbiolo grape particular finesse. The vines are rooted in sparse, stony soils containing slate and sand, which give the wine a distinctive mineral vein.

Harvesting is carried out by hand, parcel by parcel, with careful selection of the grapes directly in the vineyard. Only fully ripe, aromatically concentrated berries reach the cellar. There, gentle processing preserves the character of the grape variety. Cool pre-fermentation maceration extracts delicate fruit aromas, followed by temperature-controlled fermentation, which carefully draws structure, colour and tannins from the grape skins without over-extraction.

The wine is matured in a combination of stainless-steel tanks and carefully selected wooden barrels, depending on the character of the vintage. Stainless steel emphasises freshness, clarity and fruit, while wood lends the wine depth, subtle vanilla and toasted notes, as well as additional complexity. Maturation on the fine lees encourages a creamy nuance on the palate and supports the silky, velvety texture. Before bottling, the wine is allowed to rest so that the tannins, acidity and aromas can harmonise.

Les Cretes winery focuses on a style that places elegance, precision and terroir expression at the forefront. Every step in the cellar is intended to clearly express the Nebbiolo’s alpine origins. Wood is never dominant, but accompanies the fruit with a delicate touch. The result is taut, characterful and refined at the same time: a Nebbiolo with a mountain soul and considerable elegance, awarded, among other distinctions, 92 points by James Suckling.

Serving suggestions for the Sommet Nebbiolo Valle d’Aosta DOP - Les Cretes

Sommet Nebbiolo Valle d’Aosta DOP - Les Cretes pairs exceptionally well with a wide range of culinary accompaniments. Dark, intensely flavoured dishes are an ideal match, as the wine offers ample structure and depth. Braised beef shoulder, oven-roasted leg of lamb or game ragout engage in an exciting dialogue with the dark berry fruit and spicy notes. Mature, medium- to full-flavoured cheeses with a nutty character also make an excellent partner.

With hearty dishes featuring lighter meats, the wine reveals another highly appealing facet. Fried veal loin steaks, herb-roasted poultry or pork fillet with mushroom ragout echo the wine’s structure and spice. The lively acidity provides a pleasant counterpoint to creamy sauces and rich jus. Pasta with truffle, tagliatelle with mushrooms or lasagne with Mediterranean herbs are also excellent choices.

• Dark meat dishes: beef, lamb, game, braised dishes
• Hearty dishes with lighter meats: veal, poultry, pork with rich sauces
• Cheese: mature hard cheeses and spicy mountain cheeses
• Vegetarian: mushroom dishes, porcini risotto, roasted vegetables with herbs

As an accompaniment on special occasions, this Nebbiolo reveals all its class. Festive menus, intimate dinners for two or convivial gatherings with discerning wine enthusiasts gain a stylish centrepiece with this wine. It also shows plenty of character as a contemplative soloist after a meal, revealing new nuances sip by sip.

The ideal serving temperature is around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. Light decanting before enjoyment allows the wine to fully unfold its range of aromas and gently soften the tannins. In the right red wine glass, the bouquet appears particularly multifaceted and deep. Under suitable storage conditions, with a constant cool temperature and low exposure to light, the wine develops additional ageing aromas, greater depth and even more harmonious structures over several years.

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