Vietti Timorasso "Derthona" 2021 DOC
(Colli Tortonesi, Piedmont, Italy) - [JS 94] [JD 92]

About the Winery:

Located in the heart of the Langhe hills, at the top of the village of Castiglione Falletto, the Vietti wine cellar was founded in the late 1800's by Carlo Vietti. The estate has gradually grown over the course of time, and today the vineyards include some of the most highly prized terroirs within the Barolo and Barbaresco winegrowing areas. 
Although they have been making wine for four generations, the turning point came in the 1960's when Luciana Vietti married winemaker and art connoisseur Alfredo Currado, whose intuitions - from the production of one of the first Barolo crus (Rocche di Castiglione in 1961), through the single-varietal vinification of Arneis (1967). These fine folks are largely responsible for the resurrection of the Arneis grape.

It is also worth noting Alfredo's invention of Artist Labels in 1974, which made him both a symbol and architect of some of the most significant revolutions of the time.                                                                                                                                  
Alfredo’s intellectual, professional, and prospective legacy was taken up by Luca Currado Vietti (Luciana and Alfredo’s son) and his wife Elena, who contributed greatly to the success of the Vietti brand before their departure in 2023. In 2016 the historic winery was acquired by Krause family. Over the last seven year, they have added a number of prized crus to the estate’s holdings. In 2022 the winery was named Winery of the Year by Antonio Galloni of Vinous.

Vietti is universally recognized today as being one of the very finest Italian wine labels - by continuing along the path of the pursuit of quality, considered experimentation and working for expansion and consolidation internationally.

In 2016 the historic winery was acquired by Krause Holdings, enabling Luca and Elena Currado, the fourth generation in charge of the Vietti brand, to add a number of prized crus to the estate’s holdings, all while maintaining the family approach for which the cellar has always been known.

Denomination: Colli Tortonesi DOC Timorasso

Variety: 100% Timorasso

Vinification: the grapes come from several vineyards located in the municipality of Monleale, with south-east and south-west exposure. The soil is calcareous-clayey. The fermentation, which lasts about 4 weeks, is carried out partly in ceramic, partly in wooden vats and partly in steel. Malolactic fermentation is not carried out.

Aging: 10 months in total between ceramic, wooden and steel vats, in contact with the fine lees kept in suspension with repeated batonnage.

Description: in the glass it is limpid, intense yellow in color with greenish reflections; on the nose fruity hints reminiscent of pear, peach and floral notes such as acacia and hawthorn flowers; a characteristic note of honey is also perceived. After 2/3 years the mineral notes are felt more, in some cases accentuated by the typical hint of hydrocarbon, which embellishes the wine. In the mouth it is dry, warm and soft, very balanced; it has no edges and a good acidity is perceived in the finish which gives a lot of length and persistence to the palate.

Pairings: Carpaccio, not too seasoned cured meats, hot and cold appetizers, first courses with a marked flavor and preparations based on white meats. After a few years in the bottle it becomes a perfect wine to pair with even aged cheeses.

Ratings & Reviews:

94 Points - James Suckling
"A beautiful Timorasso with salted caramel, sliced mango, pear and apple aromas and flavors. Medium to full body. Bright and vivid acidity at the end. A lovely combination of ripe fruit and wild, crisp acidity.  About 30% aged in ceramic. Drink now."

92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
"A pale straw color, the 2021 Derthona Timorasso is set to be released in May of 2023. It has a savory richness to its aromatics of pine resin, fresh lime flower, and melon and is tangy on the palate, with medium body, saline, the stony texture of wet asphalt, Meyer lemon, and chamomile. It feels very much like a Chenin Blanc, but a fresh style in a warm vintage. It is long on the palate with mineral persistence."

97 Points, Wines of the Year - Decanter (2020 vintage)
"Reserved on the nose, with more citrus aromas and little lees. Delicious persistence in the mouth, it is really classy, with elegant acidity and open fruit expression. It is textured and oily, and has the Piedmont purity - an austere mountain wine. Nominated by Susan Hulme MW (Drink between 2023-2035)"