Montebuono Lino Maga 2018

Montebuono wine is one of two exciting labels produced by knight Lino Maga, a true icon of Oltrepò Pavese as well as of artisanal wine. Every vintage can be different and sometimes "buscia", that is, fizzy: this is the premise of the knight when he talks about his creature, making himself an exponent of a philosophy that wants the vineyard to be the sincere interpreter of every single vintage without any attempt at homologation. Deep, multifaceted liquids that literally defy time without showing any signs of yielding. A life lived among the vineyards that of Maga, inextricably intertwined with the figures of Gino Veronelli and Gianni Brera, great journalists as well as friends of Lino, since they loved his wine to the point of supporting him in the legal battles undertaken to have the uniqueness of the Barbacarlo appellation, recognized, the name of his flagship wine as well as the vineyard from which the grapes come.

Montebuono red comes entirely from the 4-hectare vineyard of the same name located near Broni. A blend of Croatina, Uva Rara and Ughetta, the Montebuono stands out for its integrity and longevity, despite absolutely non-interventionist winemaking. There are no chemical or synthetic products in the vineyard and strictly manual harvesting of the grapes. In the cellar, the same credo is continued, so fermentations occur with indigenous yeasts at uncontrolled temperatures and long ageing in already used large wooden barrels. Only a little sulfur at the bottling for a liquid that is a genuine expression of a territory and a philosophy of thought.

Lino Maga's Montebuono has a ruby colour with violet highlights but can veer toward garnet depending on ageing. The nose immortalizes the Oltrepò Pavese with a photograph of poignant intensity: it is the grapes talking, and the liquid tastes mostly of that, which is also not trivial according to the rider. But there are also earthy undertones as if to remark on the deep roots of the liquid, and then liquorice and cocoa. Depending on when the bottle is opened, the sip is impetuous and pulsating in youth while more relaxed and serene with a few years on the shoulders, but always three-dimensional and long, both on the taste level and in the memory of the drinker. Thank you knight!