Why it matters
The producer
From Montemagno in the province of Asti, Tenuta Montemagno works with Timorasso, Sauvignon, Barbera and Syrah. Nymphae is its Monferrato Bianco DOC wine. Tiziano Barea is president and heads the team, while Gianfranco Cordero is the enologist.
Nymphae began as an innovative project conceived by Tiziano Barea and supported by enologist Gianfranco Cordero. It became a white Monferrato Bianco DOC wine. The white range places this blend beside Timorasso bottled as a monovarietal.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Vineyards stretch from Montemagno into neighbouring Altavilla, Viarigi and Casorzo. Tenuta Montemagno lies in Monferrato on the 45th parallel, among gently rolling hills. Monferrato Bianco DOC is the regional white appellation used for Nymphae.
The vineyards have a southwest aspect and clay limestone soils. Clay can hold moisture, while limestone allows drainage, so the ground supports steady ripening without remaining waterlogged. The oldest Barbera d'Asti vineyards at the estate are 50 years old.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
Yields are limited and leaf pulling ventilates the clusters before harvest. The clusters are picked by hand after quality selection, then pass through another hand selection just before destemming. Fermentation uses cultured yeasts.
For white wines, gentle pressing and dry ice chilled carbonic maceration are used for Timorasso and Sauvignon to preserve their delicate fragrances. Vinification and maturation take place in ancient frescoed cellars with modern technology. Nymphae receives four months of refinement on yeasts. Lees are spent yeast cells, and contact with them can add body and a rounder texture. The entire range is made with extremely low sulphite levels.
Wines to know
The range in view
Tenuta Montemagno's bottles include Timorasso as a monovarietal made from the grape alone. Nymphae is the white Monferrato Bianco DOC blend of Sauvignon and Timorasso, while Violae is the red blend of Barbera and Syrah. Nobilis and Mysterium sit alongside them as red wines tied to appellations. Nymphae is long lived.
Nymphae opens with pear, tomato leaf, acacia and hawthorn flowers. Sauvignon brings perfume and floral scents, while Timorasso contributes mineral notes and sapidity. The palate has full body and a mellow, firm feel, with persistent length.