Montebuono Lino Maga 2022

The Montebuono wine is one of the two exciting labels produced by the knight Lino Maga, a true icon of the Oltrepò Pavese as well as of artisanal wine. Each vintage can be different and sometimes "buscia" meaning it sparkles: this is the knight's premise when he talks about his creation, representing a philosophy that wants the vineyard to be a sincere interpreter of each single vintage without any attempt at standardization. Deep, multifaceted liquids that literally challenge time without showing signs of yielding. A life lived for the vineyard, that of Maga, indissolubly intertwined with the figures of Gino Veronelli and Gianni Brera, great journalists as well as friends of Lino because they were lovers of his wine, supporting him in the legal battles undertaken to recognize the uniqueness of the Barbacarlo denomination, the name of his flagship wine as well as the vineyard from which the grapes come.

The red Montebuono comes entirely from the homonymous 4-hectare vineyard located around Broni. A blend of Croatina, Uva Rara, and Ughetta, Montebuono stands out for its integrity and longevity, despite a completely non-interventionist vinification. No chemical or synthetic products in the vineyard, of course, and strictly manual harvesting of the bunches. In the cellar, the same creed continues, with fermentations occurring with indigenous yeasts at uncontrolled temperatures and long aging in large, already used wooden barrels. Just a bit of sulfur at bottling, for a liquid that is a genuine expression of a territory and a philosophy of thought.

Lino Maga's Montebuono has a ruby color with violet reflections, but it can turn towards garnet depending on the aging. The nose captures the Oltrepò Pavese with a photograph of poignant intensity: it's the grape speaking, and the liquid tastes mostly of that, which is no small feat even according to the knight. But there are also earthy nuances, as if to emphasize the deep roots of the liquid, and then licorice and cocoa. The sip, depending on when the bottle is opened, is impetuous and pulsating in youth while more relaxed and serene with the passing of the years. On the palate, Montebuono presents itself with a well-defined tannic structure, which softens over time, and a freshness that accompanies a long and persistent finish. A wine that is not easily forgotten, capable of telling a story of passion and tradition that is renewed with every sip.