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

The single-varietal Croatina Pertichetta presents itself in a medium-deep ruby garnet. In the full bouquet we discover fleshy notes, clove, untanned leather and dark chocolate tones. On the palate, initially with a nice balance, crisp tannins take over in the middle course (when young), before the long finish with present, ripe sour cherry tones and a beguiling depth. Not a wine for everyday entertainment, but a complex, powerful and extremely serious red, which should ideally be treated with the necessary seriousness only in a few years - reward guaranteed! 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

The best parcels around Monleale, from which the grapes for 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.

In the deep bouquet, green and yellow fruit notes, orange confit, graphite, mint and a hint of camomile. In the drink, it marches straightforwardly with that certain exotic something, its pleasantly fresh acidity and fine tannin into a long finish with an attractive bitterness of citrus peel reminiscent of chinotto and a mineral vein. The 12 months of contact during fermentation in stainless steel on the lees ensures that it gains depth and complexity with each year of further bottle ageing. The "entry-level wine" from Timorasso mastermind Walter Massa impressively confirms the level at which the entire collection is moving. SUPERIORE.DE

Walter Massa's –Timorasso Costa del Vento is created 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 –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 –monuments of the Colli Tortonesi. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Timorasso Costa al Vento is the most savory and phenolic of the 2018s I tasted from Walter Massa. Dried herb, floral and mineral nuances are pushed forward, while primary fruit lies more in the background. This heady, exotic Timorasso has a ton to offer." Vinous

Walter Massa's –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 –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

"The 2017 Timorasso Montecitorio is another wine in this range that is all about savory, earthy nuance. Dried apricot, sage, mint, crushed leaves, chamomile and hazelnut build nicely in a creamy, expansive white that delivers tons of character. The 2017 is not an obvious wine. In fact, in many ways, it acts more like a red in its weight and overall textural feel." Vinous

The autochthonous white grape variety Timorasso led a shadowy existence for many years, but today it is already called the "white Barolo" by some winemakers. This is due on the one hand to the great complexity and finesse, and on the other hand to the excellent ageing potential of the wines.

Walter Massa's single vineyard –Sterpi is made through a cold maceration of about 40 hours, a subsequent fermentation of about 12 months in stainless steel tanks under regular batonnage of the lees for about 12 months. Sterpi is a powerful, dense and richly structured wine. Orange confit, honey, green apple and mint are some of the many notes that unfold in the glass. This great white has the texture, weight and glycerine to last a long time. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Timorasso Sterpi is a wild, exotic wine. Candied apricot, orange peel, burnt sugar and light honey notes build as this racy, complex Timorasso opens in the glass. There's real depth here and tons of character too. This is one of the most distinctive Timorassos readers will come across." Vinous

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