Monforte d'Alba Riserva
⏳ Drinking Window
2016 - 2036
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Classic slow-cooked beef stew (such as Brasato al Barolo), rich pasta dishes featuring fresh white truffles, and mature, savory cheeses like Castelmagno.
✨ Technical Specifications
Crafted by the historic Prunotto estate, which dates back to the early 20th century when Alfredo Prunotto rescued a struggling local cooperative in Alba, this Riserva represents the pinnacle of Nebbiolo from the rugged, sun-drenched hills of Monforte d'Alba. The terroir here is defined by ancient Helvetian soils rich in clay, sand, and limestone, which naturally impart a formidable structure, deep intensity, and profound minerality to the grapes. To craft this Riserva, the hand-harvested Nebbiolo undergoes extended maceration followed by years of patient aging in large oak casks and bottle, allowing the fierce Monforte tannins to slowly integrate. The result is a majestic red showing classic notes of dried rose petals, tar, dark cherry, licorice, and forest floor, wrapped in a powerful yet velvety frame that honors Piedmont's legendary winemaking heritage.
🍾 About the Producer
Prunotto traces its origins to 1904 when the cooperative Cantina Sociale 'Ai Vini delle Langhe' was established in Serralunga d'Alba, later rescued and rechristened by Alfredo Prunotto in the 1920s. Under legendary winemaker Beppe Colla from 1956, the estate emerged as a pioneer of single-vineyard bottlings in Piedmont, famously producing the benchmark Barolo Bussia beginning with the 1961 vintage. Owned by Tuscany's Marchesi Antinori family since 1994, Prunotto stewards approximately 65 hectares across prime sites in the Langhe and Monferrato. Viticulture leverages the region's classic mosaic of calcareous clay and Tortonian marl, capturing distinctive diurnal shifts and microclimatic nuance. In the cellar, vinification balances traditional large-format cask maturation with refined contemporary precision. Prunotto's expansive portfolio is anchored by celebrated cru bottlings such as Barolo Bussia Vigna Colonnello Riserva, Barbaresco Bric Turot, and Nizza Riserva Costamiòle, complemented by classical regional expressions of Arneis, Barbera d'Alba, and Moscato d'Asti.
🍇 Grapes
100% Nebbiolo