Features
Name:
Monleale Vineyards Massa 2016
Terrain:
Calcareous and marl-rich
Cellar
Monleale, Colli Tortonesi, Piedmont. Nestled between Monferrato and Olrepò, one of the territories most intertwined with the art of winemaking. A territory renowned and known throughout the world for its great red wines. Walter Massa, since the '70s at the helm of the family winery, has become a legendary figure, a courageous winemaker, sometimes considered a bit of an anarchist, "the maestro" who has breathed new life into an indigenous white grape variety that was at risk of extinction: Timorasso, known as Derthona, a wine with great expressiveness and structure. Today the property boasts 23 hectares at an altitude of 300 metres, dedicating itself to the typical vines of the area: Barbera, Croatina, Freisa, Timorasso and Moscato Bianco. Alcoholic fermentation takes place spontaneously, resting on fine lees with frequent batonnage, no clarification or filtration. The grapes are grown with scrupulous attention and farmer common sense, limiting treatments to a minimum. Opposed to any form of bureaucracy, Walter Massa is convinced that wine is made in the vineyard and not in the cellar, not with trademarks and documents, which is why he has chosen not to forcibly resort to appellations on the label, on the strength of his well-established reputation as a true wine craftsman
Description
Monleale wine is an excellent Barbera obtained by blending grapes grown in different vineyards ranging from 15 to 50 years of age. Produced following traditional and artisanal methods, it is a rich, fragrant, intensely evolved and complex red wine. Walter's idea of wine is that of a liquid that faithfully tells the story of its land of origin, which is why both in the vineyard and in the cellar human intervention has always been limited to the bare minimum. The resulting wines are all endowed with a remarkable expressive power, each with distinctive nuances that make Walter's bottles true experiences.
Organoleptic characteristics:
Ruby red tending towards garnet, it opens on the nose with the fruity scents of berbera in maceration, accompanied by mentholated tones of sage and thyme. On the palate, it is a wine of great expressive power, the sip is full and vigorous. An important body, where power is at the service of elegance. Jammy blackberry, eucalyptus and slight iron notes close the long finish.
Storage time:
1-7 years
Vinification
In the cellar, spontaneous alcoholic fermentation and maceration on the skins for 10-12 days without filtering the liquid. Monleale then undergoes a passage in oak barrels followed by refinement in the bottle.
Acknowledgements
2012 Veronelli 92/100
2012 Wine Spectator 91/100
2012 Bibenda 
2012 Vitae AIS 
