2022 Ottin - Fumin Valle d'Aosta (750ml)

The Ottin family farms a small mixed farm just outside Aosta, raising cattle and growing apples alongside about 10 hectares of vines. Elio Ottin restarted winemaking in 2007, and his son Nicolas joined in 2013, moving the farm to organic practices (not certified). It runs entirely on renewable energy, and the Slow Wine guide has called theirs “some of the best wines in all of Italy.” The vines sit around 700 meters up on steep, stony, glacial soils of granite and sand that drain well. Fumin is a rare local grape that buds and ripens late, sometimes picked as the first snow falls. It’s typically aged in large oak, which keeps the focus on fruit and spice. Expect deep ruby-purple color, blackcurrant, violets, tea leaf and black pepper, with a subtle smoky, earthy edge. Think high-altitude Syrah crossed with Nebbiolo. Great with venison, beef stew, polenta with fontina or hard mountain cheeses.