Vigneti Massa Sentieri 2024

Vigneti Massa has made wine in the hills of Tortona in Colli Tortonesi, eastern Piedmont, since 1789, and is run today by Walter Massa, the grower credited with reviving the white Timorasso. Sentieri is a fresh, unoaked Barbera grown on the estate's hillside vineyards in the Tortona valleys, planted at altitude on calcareous clay soils. Barbera here brings high acidity and low tannin, and the elevated sites with a wide day-to-night temperature swing keep that acidity bright and the aromatics lifted. The wine is aged in stainless steel rather than oak, a choice that preserves primary fruit and a clean, vivid freshness while keeping the texture unoaked and the volcanic-clay minerality clear. Temperature-controlled tank fermentation holds the bright aromatics. Expect a deep ruby colour and a nose of sour cherry, red berries and plum with black pepper, dried herbs and an earthy note. The palate is medium bodied and juicy, with low tannin, the lively acidity characteristic of Barbera and a savoury, mineral finish. Serve at around 15 to 16 degrees, lightly chilled if you like. It is a flexible food red for everyday meals.