Chances are you aren’t overly familiar with the small Italian region of Liguria, and if you are, you most likely have had Pigato (Vermentino). While these beautiful Italian whites are delicious, and absolutely worth trying if you can get ahold of them (let us know if you want any!) I want to take a minute and talk about the grape Rosesse. If this name is unfamiliar to you, that’s ok! It’s actually the same grape as Tibouren, which is most commonly grown in Southern France and is commonly blended with grapes such as Mouvedre and Carignan. The best Italian expression of this wine is Rosesse de Dolceacqua. The wines are somewhat reminiscent of Côte-Rôtie, with their combination of floral and roasted/bacon fat aromas - think Côte-Rôtie with a little more ripe red fruit. There is a level of concentration, structure, spice, and minerality that the more fruit-driven Rossese from further east in Liguria does not possess. Tenuta Anfosso has long been a family operation, and is currently run by sixth-generation winemaker, Alessandro Anfosso. Their average vines date back to the late nineteenth century, and the slopes are incredibly steep, making the vineyards workable only by hand. None of this discourages the precocious winemaker from creating an incredible wine from this forgotten gem of a region. This particular bottling is partially destemmed, with both vinification and aging happening in stainless steel to allow the fruit to shine.