Massa "Derthona" Colli Tortonesi Timorasso 2024

Winemaking

Vigneti Massa represents a singular commitment to preserving and elevating Timorasso, an indigenous white varietal that nearly disappeared from Piedmont before the estate's dedicated revival efforts. The winemaking philosophy here centers on minimal intervention and respect for the vineyard's natural expression—a restrained hand that lets the terroir speak rather than impose winemaker's signature.

Tasting Notes

The 2024 Derthona opens with bright citrus and stone fruit aromatics, layered with delicate floral notes that are the hallmark of Timorasso at its best. On the palate, this is a mineral-driven wine with impressive structure: lemon and white peach flavors are grounded by an almost saline quality and a subtle almond undertone that adds complexity. The acidity is crisp and well-integrated, carrying into a clean, persistent finish that suggests this wine will evolve beautifully over the next several years.

Producer

Vigneti Massa is a small, focused producer in the Colli Tortonesi dedicated to recovering Timorasso from near-extinction and establishing it as a serious expression of Piedmont's white wine potential. The estate works its vineyards with meticulous attention to detail, allowing fruit quality to drive every decision in the cellar and resulting in wines of remarkable purity and aging potential.

Terroir

The Colli Tortonesi, in southeastern Piedmont near the Ligurian border, occupies a unique microclimate influenced by proximity to the Mediterranean. The rolling hills here feature calcareous clay and limestone-rich soils that impart the distinctive mineral character and structure Timorasso is known for, while the continental-to-maritime transition creates ideal conditions for developing both ripeness and acidity.

Food Pairings

Serve this alongside roasted halibut with brown butter and capers, where its saline minerality and acidity cut through richness beautifully. It's equally at home with something simpler—fresh burrata and heirloom tomatoes with good olive oil—or paired with risotto al tartufo, where the wine's stone fruit and floral notes complement the earthiness without being overshadowed by it.