Vigneti Massa Montecitorio Timorasso 2020
Around his home town of Monleale in southwest Piedmont’s Colli Tortonesi subzone, Walter Massa is referred to, often in hushed tones, as ‘the prophet.’ The underlying resonance here has nothing to do with any mystical theological tidings, nor connections to a higher power, but more so a reference to the man’s singular perseverance that saw him all but single-handedly retrieve the now celebrated Timorasso grape from the brink of obscurity and thrust it back into the realms of Italian grapes worthing giving a darn about. A genuine contadino (farmer) at heart, with deep familial roots in his native Colli Tortonesi, Massa can usually be found plowing his vineyards or buzzing around his cellar when someone arrives for a visit. He’ll then stop to spend hours showing you around, pouring wines for anyone with a glass in hand, and talking with the continual waves of journalists, sommeliers, importers, buyers, and just plain fans who make their way to his village to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the ‘Maestro of Timorasso.’
Today, Massa’s beloved white variety is finding broader traction in the international wine trade, at least among savvy wine professionals, not only for its distinction, complexity and ability to age, but most importantly for its ability to accurately transmit a sense of place. Massa’s single-site ‘Montecitorio’ bottling (along with its two siblings in Sterpi and Costa del Vento) offers drinkers a window to the true zenith of this grape’s potential. Drawn from a cooler, east facing site of marl and chalk, the Montecitorio captures an Ali-esque paradoxy: floating like a butterfly (baroque yellow fruits, pollen-forward aromatics, and honeyed minerality) and stinging like a bee (with spades of well-integrated, high-tensile acidity.) A perfect side-step for lovers of white Burgundy, or more textured Chenin Blanc or dry Riesling, the Montecitorio offers ripe apricot, beeswax, and Tupelo honey, pocked with dried rosemary, white balsamic, and honeysuckle. A wine that will easily go the distance over the next decade should you have the patience to discover the joys of Timorasso with some age, though feel free to decant vigorously and enjoy at cellar temp in its youth. Drink now through 2033.
Shipping Policy
Due to the restrictions of many state laws, we only ship wine to those states where direct shipment from a retailer is permitted by law; currently we ship to AK, CA, DC, ID, LA, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OR, VA, WV and WY. This list is subject to change without notice. In addition, each state imposes limitations on the amount of wine any particular resident may receive by direct shipment. To ensure that you are able to order wine for direct shipment from our website, please consult the specific state requirements for your state.
Please note that all orders must be placed by persons who are at least 21 years old, and that age verification will be required upon receipt of your wine. No wine will be delivered to obviously intoxicated persons and any person unable to provide age verification will forfeit their right to receive the shipment until identification is produced. In such circumstances, the order may either be held in storage at a local depot of the shipping company until appropriate identification is produced, or shipped back to the winery. All associated costs will be the responsibility of and be charged to the customer.
Title to, and ownership of, all wine passes from Biondivino to the purchaser in the State of California and the purchaser takes all responsibility for shipping it from California to his/her home state. By arranging for transportation of the wine, Biondivino is providing a service to, and acting on behalf of the purchaser. By utilizing this service from Biondivino, purchaser is representing that he/she is acting in compliance with his/her local and state laws regarding the purchase, transportation and delivery of wine. The purchaser represents that he/she has obtained any required permission, paid any required fees, is working through properly licensed intermediaries where required, is legally entitled to take possession of wine and is legally entitled to take quantities ordered.
You will be charged the applicable sales tax, if any, assessed by your state for any shipment that Biondivino makes; otherwise California sales tax will be assessed on the sale. Shipping and handling costs are not included in the cost and will appear in the shopping cart before you complete your transaction. The carrier and service speed may vary by state and time of year, and Biondivino cannot take responsibility for the condition of any wine shipped by Ground.
Some of our products are sold on a "pre-arrival" or "futures" basis. These products are explicitly indicated as "pre-arrivals" or "futures" on our Website and newsletter. Biondivino will notify you by email when your "pre-arrivals" or "futures" have arrived and are ready to be shipped. You will be given the opportunity to coordinate the proper shipping address and method (we won't automatically ship out pre-arrival wines when they arrive).
Shipping Policy
Due to the restrictions of many state laws, we only ship wine to those states where direct shipment from a retailer is permitted by law; currently we ship to AK, CA, DC, ID, LA, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OR, VA, WV and WY. This list is subject to change without notice. In addition, each state imposes limitations on the amount of wine any particular resident may receive by direct shipment. To ensure that you are able to order wine for direct shipment from our website, please consult the specific state requirements for your state.
Please note that all orders must be placed by persons who are at least 21 years old, and that age verification will be required upon receipt of your wine. No wine will be delivered to obviously intoxicated persons and any person unable to provide age verification will forfeit their right to receive the shipment until identification is produced. In such circumstances, the order may either be held in storage at a local depot of the shipping company until appropriate identification is produced, or shipped back to the winery. All associated costs will be the responsibility of and be charged to the customer.
Title to, and ownership of, all wine passes from Biondivino to the purchaser in the State of California and the purchaser takes all responsibility for shipping it from California to his/her home state. By arranging for transportation of the wine, Biondivino is providing a service to, and acting on behalf of the purchaser. By utilizing this service from Biondivino, purchaser is representing that he/she is acting in compliance with his/her local and state laws regarding the purchase, transportation and delivery of wine. The purchaser represents that he/she has obtained any required permission, paid any required fees, is working through properly licensed intermediaries where required, is legally entitled to take possession of wine and is legally entitled to take quantities ordered.
You will be charged the applicable sales tax, if any, assessed by your state for any shipment that Biondivino makes; otherwise California sales tax will be assessed on the sale. Shipping and handling costs are not included in the cost and will appear in the shopping cart before you complete your transaction. The carrier and service speed may vary by state and time of year, and Biondivino cannot take responsibility for the condition of any wine shipped by Ground.
Some of our products are sold on a "pre-arrival" or "futures" basis. These products are explicitly indicated as "pre-arrivals" or "futures" on our Website and newsletter. Biondivino will notify you by email when your "pre-arrivals" or "futures" have arrived and are ready to be shipped. You will be given the opportunity to coordinate the proper shipping address and method (we won't automatically ship out pre-arrival wines when they arrive).