2020 Vigneti Massa Timorasso Cru Montecitorio

Walter Massa is the reference-point producer in the Colli Tortonesi, or Tortona Hills, of southeast Piemonte. He is also the undisputed Maestro of Timorasso – the man who rescued the variety from extinction in the 1970s and then, through tireless experimentation and effort in the vineyard and in the cellar, brought it to prominence as one of the great white wines of Italy. He now grows and makes five 100% timorasso wines, including three single-vineyard, or cru, versions. 

Montecitorio is an east-facing 1.6-hectare vineyard in Walter’s village of Monleale. The soils are rich in limestone and marl. The eastern exposure makes for a cooler-climate expression of timorasso - that is, more evident minerality and tension than in Massa’s other two crus, while still retaining timorasso’s power and complexity. Skin maceration of whole clusters in stainless steel tanks lasts for two to three days. The wine ages for a full year in a combination of stainless steel and concrete vats. Like all of Massa’s timorassos, this one is a distinctive and delectable study in contrasts: richer fruits with great minerality and cleansing acidity. Drink it in a large stem with hearty seafood dishes (including squid ink pasta), spicy dishes, or a rich risotto. Or age it for another 5-10 years.