Nebbiolo 'Sommet' Les Cretes 2021
The "Sommet" by Les Cretes is an extremely fine and fresh Nebbiolo from Valle d'Aosta, a coherent image of the mountain peaks towards which the vines look. After a year in wood, it reveals a range of organoleptic notes of flowers and wild fruits, moss and licorice, ash and eucalyptus, and refreshes the palate with a juicy, savory, and finely tannic tasting
The Nebbiolo from Les Cretes is born among the spectacular landscapes at the foot of the Alps in Val d'Aosta, in the village of Aymavilles. It is precisely the name “Sommet”, which means “summit” in French, that pays homage to the mountains that surround the vineyards. The same stylized peaks are recreated on all the labels, reinforcing the bond with this alpine land. Les Cretes is one of the most important wineries in the small Aosta Valley region, committed for years to the careful and high-quality production of wines typically characterized by being local. Nebbiolo in this area remains a historically present grape variety, although unknown just outside the regional borders. Here its grapes are called Picotendro.
“Sommet” Les Cretes is made from pure Nebbiolo grapes. The vineyards cultivated with this grape variety are located in Arnad and Issogne, where the vines are over 30 years old and the exposure is northwest and southeast. The soil here features glacial and alluvial sediments, a living testament to the valley's past. Both in the vineyard and in the winery, a a meticulous selection of the grapes, followed by destemming. The fermentation of whole berries takes place in steel tanks for 10/20 days at controlled temperature. The maturation, on the other hand, is in 25hl French oak barrels and lasts 12 months before resting for 1 year in the bottle.
Les Cretes Nebbiolo “Sommet” presents itself with its pale garnet red. In the glass, the aromas pleasantly make their way, revealing a rich and broad bouquet: dried flowers intertwining with the damp notes of underbrush, with moss rhythmically accompanied by orange peel. There are also more balsamic notes of eucalyptus and licorice, closing the circle with puffs of ash. On the palate, it is refined and elegant as only Nebbiolo can be, supported by a good freshness balanced by savoriness and gentle tannins. “Sommet” is a bottle that brings to the table a more unusual and lesser-known expression of Nebbiolo. A great Aosta Valley version!