2025 Les Crêtes 'Mon Rouge', Valle d'Aosta, Italy

Les Crêtes is the Charrère family estate at Aymavilles in the Valle d'Aosta, one of the leading producers of the region's mountain wines. A field-blend snapshot of the Aosta Valley's native reds, drawing on Cornalin, Fumin, Vuillermin, Gamay and Petit Rouge. Bright ruby-violet in the glass. The nose is all alpine energy: wild raspberry, sour cherry and crushed blueberry, lifted by violet, a pinch of white pepper and a herbal, mountain-meadow edge. The palate is light-to-medium bodied and juicy, with crunchy red fruit, fine, chalky tannins and a cool, almost saline acidity that keeps everything taut. Finishes fresh, peppery and gently savoury. A gulpable, honest mountain red; serve lightly chilled (14–16°C) alongside salumi, Fontina, polenta or a meat-ragù pasta. Delicious! Light Alpine red for cured meats, pasta with meat sauce or semi-aged cheeses.