Vigne Marina Coppi, `Fausto` Timorasso
Vintage: 2023
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | MC203B23 | 6 x 75 | Diam | Available |
Producer
Francesco Bellocchio and his wife Anna founded Vigne Marina Coppi in 2003, taking over a small plot of vines in Castellania, a village in south-eastern Piemonte. Castellania is significant to Francesco, being the birthplace of his grandfather, legendary cyclist Fausto Coppi, the first man ever to win the Giro d‘Italia and the Tour de France in the same year. Named after Francesco’s mother, Marina, the estate now focuses on the indigenous varieties of Barbera, Nebbiolo, Croatina, Freisa, Favorita and Timorasso to make vibrant and well-defined wines.
Their Timorasso, named ‘Fausto’ after the great man himself, is their flagship wine and one of the best examples of the variety produced. It is resolutely modern in style, having been fermented solely in stainless steel, yet is concentrated, long and mineral. Their Timorasso ‘Grand Fostó’ pays homage to this variety, produced in very small quantities and aged for 12 months on its lees before release. The Barbera ‘Sant’ Andrea’ is vibrant and pristine, a paradigm of good Barbera.
The grapes for ‘I Grop’ Barbera Superiore hail from a cru vineyard planted 400 meters above sea level on calcareous soil. The wine is intensely scented with aromas of plum, pomegranate and sweet spices. The delicious ‘Marine’ Favorita, aged in tank on its lees for six months to augment texture and complexity, shows a clear varietal definition allied to Vigne Marina Coppi’s signature finesse.
Vineyards
The grapes for this wine come from two vineyards: Gabetto and Montagnina. The vineyards are situated at 400 metres above sea level in an ideal micro-climate that is protected from the cold northerly winds. There are marked diurnal temperature ranges, as well as distinct seasonal differences, along with one of the lowest rainfalls in Piemonte. The grey/light blue soil is called Marl of Sant'Agata and comprises 55% clay, 15% limestone and 30% sandy deposits. This wine is dedicated to Fausto.
Vintage
The 2023 growing season in Piemonte presented some challenges, but careful vineyard management produced healthy, high-quality grapes. Hot summer days with cool nights preserved natural acidity and enhanced aromatic intensity. Harvested at optimal ripeness, the resulting white wines are vibrant, expressive, and aromatic, with fresh fruit, elegant structure, and excellent ageing potential.
Vinification
The grapes were hand harvested in the early hours of the morning to preserve the fresh aromas of the varietal. The grapes were softly whole bunch pressed, and then the cold must was racked to stainless-steel tanks for fermentation. No malolactic fermentation took place in order to retain the acidity in the final wine. The wine matured on its lees for 10 months in temperature controlled, stainless-steel tanks with manual bâtonnage. The wine was bottled and then aged in the bottle before release.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Pale yellow colour with aromas of hawthorn blossom, pear and apple leaf. Its distinct mineral backbone is rounded out by lovely warmth and fresh acidity in equal measure. Well structured, it has an attractive, persistent finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
14%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vigne Marina Coppi | `Sant'Andrea` Barbera | MC201 | R | Factsheet | |
| `I Grop` Barbera Superiore | MC204 | R | |||
| `Marine` Favorita | MC205 | W | Factsheet | ||
| `Grand Fostó` Timorasso | MC206 | W |