2010 Montalbera, Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato DOC, Piedmonte, Italy.
This rare Piedmonte red is like drinking liquid roses and peppered strawberries with mountain herbs, lavender oil and tangy cherry. This once forgotten grape is enjoying an amazing re-birth of late with some fantastic vintages and wines showing up. Still only a handful of producers make Ruche, but the quality I’ve tried in the last few years has made me a believer in this varietal and especially good is this 2010 Montalbera Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato DOC, which is near to some sublime Barolo vineyards. This Montalbera really covers your senses with an overload of roses, rose petals, dried roses and rose oil and while perfumey to the extreme it works well with the savory herbs, spices and tangy fruits on the palate. This is one of the best Ruche wines I’ve tried and I recommend finding some and enjoy the lightness and unique qualities it has.
($16 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
