Well the cycling season is winding down, but that means it's time for Il Lombardia and another sensational and HIGHLY anticipated /WORLD TOUR WINE/ !!

Today's result was predictable, but it wasn't quite a procession, with an outstanding and soulful long-range attack from Quinn SIMMONS as well as strong performance from up-and-coming Siexas Seixas. The course began in Como and wound its way through the mountains of Lombardy on its way to Bergamo. Tucked away in the north of Lombardia, in a valley just below the Swiss border, is the Valtellina appellation. The steep Alpine walls feature stacked terraces of Nebbiolo grapes, essentially the only grape grown here. This is the third Nebbiolo of /wtw/, previously featuring Barolo in the Giro and Barbaresco in the Grand Depart of the Vuelta. Today's producer is Arpepe (named for its founder Arturo Pelizzatti Perego), one of the finest producers in the region.

Arpepe Grumello Rocca de Piro 2017 ($60)

Initially planned to decant this but it was so open from the initial pour that I decided against it. It is a beautiful transparent brick-red, light body. The nose is lovely, leading with asphalt and then a bloom of roses and red fruit. The palate is really, really fine, with fine velvet tannins that are perfectly integrated with light, pure red fruit and a sort of tea-like minerality. This is a fine wine that is drinking at its peak right now.

It's certainly interesting to compare this to Barolo (which is something I have more experience with, and actually have a bottle open right now to compare). It is light and leaner, without the profundity, but with that comes a lithe transparency that I just adore. A total surprise and a total stunner.