Grapelive Wine of the Day
By Kerry Winslow
***
2009 Montalbera Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato “Laccento” Piedmonte Red, Italy.
This wine opens with such perfume it transports you instantly to a flower garden with heady rose petals before leading to a beautiful palate filled with wild strawberries, plums and red currants. There is lots to enjoy with this med weight, garnet colored wine with vibrant fruits, flowers, licorice and rose oil all playing leading roles though interesting notes of mountain herbs, candied citrus, rhubarb and subtle balsamic can be found in the background. This wine ends as it starts with liquid roses lingering on and on, this wine is by far the best Ruche that I’ve ever come across, though I must admit it is a rare grape to begin with. This wine was aged only in stainless steel and bottle, no oak what so ever and was indeed not needed. I had not heard of Montalbera before, and I have my friend, Austin to thank for sharing this producer and wine to me. As I was completely blown away with this lovely wine, I had to find out more, and low and behold Decanter magazine had picked this wine as one of their best of the year giving it their top 5 star rating and gold medal, so I did not discover a new treasure for you all, but I can tell you it is that freaking good and them some. Sadly it looks as if the 2009 is sold out in the States, but I am hearing that the 2010 is as good if not better, so be sure to ask around for it.
($25 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
***