Montalbera, Grignè, Grignolino d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2012

Benchmark aromas and flavors of Grignolino: sour red cherries, raspberries, rosehips, tea leaf and violet. Long and fresh with sneaky concentration and lovely balance. Montalbera is best-known for its Ruchés, but its Grignolino is one of the country’s best lighter-bodied wines.