Opera Prima Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG 2021 - Azienda Agricola Luca Ferraris

The Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG Opera Prima is the product of a single vineyard, and the vineyard is nourished like no other on the estate. “I wanted to dedicate this wine to my grandfather Martino,” says Luca, “and see that it stands up for years of storage.” The vineyard here is steep, late in maturation with loose limestone soil, which in nutrient-poor, supports the vine of strength. The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected. The juice ferments in large oak barrels. The wine aged in 500-liter oak tonneaux (mixed new and old) for 24 months, with continuous tasting. This long process ensures that the colors stabilize and the tannins soften. The wine then bottle age another year. “My goal is that this wine should come with a good Barolo,” says Luca, “and it is correspondingly expensive.” The nose is peppery and a garden with flowers, the palate ripe raspberries and cherries, medium to full-bodied, tannins are soft and acid-stimulating, a fully ripe finish is reminiscent of fine red fruits.