Cascina Tavijn "68" Rosso 2022

Press 4 Red • December 2024 Direct Press Selection

With more than a century of family winemaking history in the hills of Monferrato, it makes sense that Cascina Tavjin and proprietor Nadia Verrua hearken back to an earlier time in Italian viticulture. Wines are still aged in a traditional cantina below the family’s home, fermentation takes place largely in old botti, and the 10-hectare estate is also home to hazelnut trees — the secret ingredient Nadia’s mother, Teresa, uses in her famous torta di nocciole. 

Their wines all share a sense of rustic appeal, and the “68” Vino Rosso is no exception. A roughly 50/50 blend of Barbera and native variety Ruché, the grapes are destemmed and go through six weeks of skin maceration before being rested for nine months in a variety of vessels. The end result is bright and alive on the palate with notes of juicy cherries, strawberries and red plums. A touch of menthol on the back end, coupled with some punchy barnyard funk, only adds to the wine’s appeal.

Verrua uses minimal (if any) added sulfur in her winemaking, which makes this a bottle best enjoyed with friends over the course of an evening. Not to worry — the wine is so delicious that any chance of leftovers is slim. Kate Masters