The Impression is Cabernet Franc-driven with Masal Selection Cabernet Sauvignon from Los Niños, a historic block from the vineyard, and some Malbec from the site. Fermented in SS, and aged for 16 months in barriques (45% new). Wow, that’s a fantastic Cabernet Franc-driven wine with the ripe, lifted savoury notes of Monte Rosso that come through as pure sagebrush, hand tobacco, rose petal, and rose stem nuances. The depth and freshness are incredible. The wine is decisively red-fruited, with these gorgeous avocet notes layered through with an intensely fresh personality and the crisp apple skin and firm spiciness of juicy, grippy acidity that bring this impossibly bright freshness. Dark, dark, fruited and layered, and super complex. What a gorgeous debut wine. This new Monte Rosso brand, debuting with the 2023 vintage, is produced by Bernardino Sani, CEO and winemaker of the historic Argiano estate in Montalcino, Italy. Sani had long been eager to undertake a project in the United States. Diego Del Pino, the estate director, was brought in to build out luxury sales with Gallo and brings a strong background in high-end luxury products. Through Gallo’s import portfolio, Del Pino came to know Sani, and when given the opportunity to develop something distinctive and new within the Gallo universe, he chose to focus on Monte Rosso. (JC)