2018 Walter Massa - Colli Tortonesi DOC Monleale (750ml)

Walter Massa is one of the defining figures of the Colli Tortonesi, a hilly stretch of southeastern Piedmont that spent decades overlooked before he began working there. Based in the small village of Monleale, Massa is widely credited with rescuing the native Timorasso grape from near extinction, starting in 1986, and turning it into one of Italy's most respected white varieties. Alongside that white wine renaissance, he has continued making distinctive reds from local grapes including Barbera, Croatina, Freisa, and Nebbiolo, always favoring low-intervention, place-driven winemaking over international trends.

Monleale is crafted entirely from Barbera, sourced from three plots surrounding the village: Bigolla, planted in the 1960s on calcareous soil with an eastern exposure, Campolungo, a younger clay-soil parcel facing north, and Fontana, planted in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The vines sit at roughly 250 to 280 meters above sea level. Grapes are hand harvested and fermented with native yeasts, with minimal or no filtration and no pesticides or herbicides used in the vineyard. The wine then ages in used barriques for about twenty-two months before further time in bottle.

The 2018 vintage shows aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, and plum layered with violet, tobacco, and sweet spice. The palate is structured and rich, with well-integrated tannins and a long, savory finish. It pairs naturally with roasted or braised meats, game, and aged cheeses.