Walter Massa

Lively bright ruby red. Initially slightly reductive on the nose, Terra soon reveals its great spicy profile of small red forest fruits, medicinal herbs and nutty notes. On the palate with medium pressure, a very pleasant dynamic and great drinking flow. The lively and refreshing acidity, together with its likeable red fruitiness, make it an excellent food companion. An exceptional Barbera that will still be fun to drink many years from now. SUPERIORE.DE

The Barbera vines for Sentieri, which are over 30 years old, stand at an altitude of about 300 m on predominantly calcareous soils in the natural amphitheatre of Monleale. It shows the stark opposite of an opulent, dense style. Sentieri has a beautiful Italian freshness and is 100% focused on the primary fruit of the Barbera grape. It presents plenty of race and a personality that is distinguishedly restrained and very well balanced. For us, this is Barbera at its purest and here Walter Massa impressively proves that he is not only capable of top performance with the white Timorasso. And once again we are more than taken with the excellent value his wines. SUPERIORE.DE

What would Piedmont be without its slightly effervescent red Freisa? Normally, the Piedmontese tend to enjoy these immensely drinkable wines themselves, so that hardly any relevant quantity remains for export. The nose has an animating scent of rose petals, cinnamon and cherry, which are also found in the drink. L'Avvenata is a rather slender red, distantly reminiscent of a Nebbiolo. Its softer tannins and greater fruitiness make it a joyful companion for all occasions, even when slightly chilled. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 L'Avvelenata is bright and beautifully perfumed, the 2019 is a fresh, vibrant red to drink now and over the next handful of years. The purity of the red berry fruit is compelling. Attractive floral and spice notes lend freshness throughout." Vinous

Monleale is a rich, intoxicating wine. Medium ruby-garnet in colour, the bouquet has a subtle sweetness, dried cherry, balsamic notes and clove. On the palate, spicy and earthy undertones support its precise core of dense red cherry and plum fruit, while it briskly presents a powerful and pleasantly savoury style that is ideal for the dining table. Monleale has plenty of personality and character, and its persistence and longevity make it one of the most profound and intense Barbera wines to be found in this price range. SUPERIORE.DE

The best plots around Monleale, from which the grapes for the Derthona Timorasso come, cover just 11 hectares. They are located in the Appenine and pre-Appenine hills of the Marca Obertenga, the soils contain mainly marl and clayey layers.

The deep bouquet has green and yellow fruit notes, orange confit, graphite, mint and a hint of camomile. On the palate, it marches straight ahead with that certain exotic something, its pleasantly fresh acidity and fine tannins into a long finish with an attractive citrus peel bitterness reminiscent of Chinotto and a mineral vein. The 12-month contact during fermentation in stainless steel on the lees ensures that it gains in depth and complexity with each year of further bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

Walter Massa's single vineyard Timorasso Montecitorio is created through a cold maceration of about 40 hours, a subsequent fermentation of about 12 months in stainless steel tanks under regular batonnage of the yeast for about 12 months.

Timorasso Montecitorio smells of orange confit, petrol, wild flowers and honey. Rich and complex in the glass, it takes on Riesling-like nuances of minerality. After some aeration (or better: further bottle ageing), it reveals countless layers of aromas and a depth that, together with its overall exotic feel and salty notes, make Montecitorio distinctive and great! SUPERIORE.DE

Walter Massa's single-vineyard Timorasso Costa del Vento is made by a cold maceration of about 40 hours, a subsequent fermentation of about 12 months in stainless steel tanks under regular batonnage of the yeast for about 12 months. It is stronger and richer than the basic Timorasso and therefore needs more attention and further bottle ageing.

Impressive, almost lush bouquet of green and yellow stone fruit, plus notes of roasted nuts, honey and peach puree. Very powerful and multi-layered on the palate, almost viscous, but always precisely defined and without any sweetness. The fascination of this great white wine will only fully reveal itself in a few years, but its power and simultaneous balance already make it one of the most amazing and leading Timorasso monuments of the Colli Tortonesi. SUPERIORE.DE