It's one thing to tell someone a wine will taste great in twenty years, but an entirely more effective thing to show them.

Sometimes helping customers understand the benefit of cellaring their wines can only truly be done with examples like this: a twenty year old Nebbiolo made by one of northern Italy's most prestigious producers, ArPePe, that embodies everything we love in a mature red wine. Located in the tiny Valtellina region, tucked in between the Italian alps and Switzerland, this wine is a far cry from the tannic and rugged Barolos you may have cut your teeth on. The 2002 Riserva is pure elegance in the glass, delicate and ethereal, from the gorgeous color to the seamless integration of tannins and fruit after twenty years in the bottle.

Here at Mission, we're continuing to search out library editions that showcase the benefits of both time and patience when it comes to wine consumption. We're hoping these older procurements allow more casual wine drinkers to experience that same epiphany that turns everyday fans into passionate afficionados. Take a bottle of this home, make yourself a nice meal, and be truly blown away. If this wine doesn't make you want to start your own personal cellar, nothing will.

2002 ArPePe Valtellina Superiore Sassella Rocce Rossa $104.99

96 POINTS: VINOUS - The 2002 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Riserva Rocce Rosse will give readers a very good idea of how top-notch Valtellina Nebbiolo develops with age. Moreover, it clearly shows that top-flight Nebbiolo from Valtellina deserves a seat at the table next to the world’s greatest wines. Primary flavors are now faded into the background, replaced with a striking array of dried rose petal, lavender, mint and sweet pipe tobacco. A wine for lovers of classic, traditionally made Nebbiolo, the 2002 Rocce Rosse delivers the goods, and then some. The 2002 spent 35 days on the skins in cement, followed by 4 years in cask and cement. Don't miss it. -Antonio Galloni

​93 POINTS: WINE SPECTATOR - This aging beauty impresses on the nose, with Fernet-Branca–like aromas of black licorice and medicinal herbs. This is medium- to full-bodied and still fresh, with grippy tannins and a creamy mix of baked cherry, singed orange peel, aged leather and tarry smoke notes. Drink now through 2027.

-David Driscoll