For lovers of Burgundy: a white wine worth cellaring
Monleale Timorasso has been called "White Barolo" for its structure and aging potential. At Cantina de Alessandrini Sassaia, we vinify it with fermentation in Burgundy barriques and meticulous attention to detail.
From high-altitude vineyards in Piedmont to rare Chassin French oak barriques, usually reserved for Puligny-Montrachet, our Timorasso is designed for collectors who expect much more than just freshness from a white wine. It is a wine created to evolve in your cellar and shine on your table.
The Problem
Burgundy prices are soaring. True discoveries are rare.
If you collect white Burgundy and top Piedmont, you already know the story: allocations are shrinking, prices are rising, and most "new discoveries" don't measure up to your Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, or Barolo cru. You are not looking for another trendy white: you are looking for a wine with the structure, minerality, and depth to justify a spot in your cellar.
At Cantina de Alessandrini Sassaia, we transform Timorasso, a native Piedmontese grape, by combining Burgundy-style barrique fermentation with meticulous attention to detail. The result is a white wine that is both familiar (for those who love Burgundy) and completely innovative (for those discovering Timorasso).
Burgundian technique, Piedmontese terroir, and modern discernment, guided by science.
Every bottle of de Alessandrini Sassaia Timorasso is born from three pillars that guide our work in the vineyard and the cellar. Our philosophy is a cultural triangle: Piedmont in the soil, Burgundian methodology, and modern discernment, guided by science.
Monleale Terroir and Vineyards
Our high-altitude vineyards at 410 meters in Monleale and the surrounding hills are the backbone of Timorasso:
- Fossil-rich Sant’Agata formations with limestone and gypsum soils that impart mineral structure.
- Low yields to concentrate flavor, minerality, and structure.
- Manual harvest early in the morning, with rigorous selection in the vineyard and cellar.
Timorasso Management in the Cellar: Elegance and Depth
For our Timorasso, we adopt a meticulous vinification, designed to enhance structure and complexity:
- Fermentation and Aging in Wood
Fermentation and subsequent aging take place in 228-liter French oak barriques. This size is crucial to give the wine consistency, depth, and a perfect integration between fruit and wood. - Chassin Toast Selection
The staves come from the prestigious Chassin cooperage, sourced from the Jupilles forest. It is the same wood favored by the most renowned Puligny-Montrachet crus, known for imparting silky texture, impeccable balance, and layered depth. - Sur Lie Style and Complexity
A prolonged sur lie (on the lees) aging brings the desired complexity without ever making the wine heavy, maintaining the distinctive elegance of the grape.
Philosophy of Informed Scrutiny
Our philosophy is based on a minimalist yet meticulous approach. We intervene with scientific rigor to preserve the essence of the fruit.
- Oenological Decisions Based on Science
UC Davis training integrated with constant monitoring of fermentations and key parameters. - Reduction of Chemical Interventions
We use bio-protective yeasts that allow us to minimize the addition of sulfites. - Stability and Balance
Continuous monitoring of fermentations ensures clarity, stability, and optimal wine balance.
This is the Sassaia Method: targeted intervention, reduced to the essential minimum, guiding the wine safely and allowing it to fully express its authentic voice.
Recognition from critics, sommeliers, and international press
Timorasso is still a discovery for many wine lovers, but those who know the wine world well are already paying attention. Our excellence has been validated on multiple fronts:
Technical Validation
“This wine starts off with a bang! Aromas of roasted peaches, baked apples, mint, thyme and oak spices leap from the glass. This is not a shy wine but a wine that is here to make a statement... The nature of Timorasso shines through with lifted acidity and defined minerality. This is a wine to watch. Drink now–2040.”
— Jeff Porter
Institutional Authority
The Derthona Platinum cuvée was recognized by Falstaff as the 2nd best white wine in Piedmont.
Lifestyle and Luxury
James Magazine IT positioned Sassaia as a true "Lifestyle Statement," analyzing our philosophy of precision in synthesis with elegance. Our bottles were prominently featured on Roman rooftop hotel terraces, as reported by 20 Italie.
Our Timorasso remains a limited, in-house allocation. With only about 40,000 bottles produced across the estate each year, production is dedicated to collectors.
Gift Your Loved One a Sassaia Holiday Pack
The Sassaia Holiday Packs are designed to bring the soul of our estate to your table. Each bundle offers a thoughtfully curated selection of our wines, showcasing how vineyard, vintage, and élevage come together to create structure, depth, and longevity.
Multipack – “A Taste of Sassaia”
A complete tour of the estate – from bright, barrel fermented whites to supple, food friendly reds.
Must use code HOLIDAY6 at checkout to redeem the discount
All Red – “Winter by the Fire”
Juicy, elegant Piedmont reds – ideal with roasted meats, braises, pastas with rich sauces, and aged cheeses.
Must use code HOLIDAY6 at checkout to redeem the discount
All White – “Chardonnay and Timorasso”
Burgundy style whites from limestone soils – perfect with seafood, roast poultry, creamy dishes, and aged cheeses.
Must use code HOLIDAY6 at checkout to redeem the discount
All Timorasso - Derthona Timorasso 2022
A pure expression of Piedmont’s rare white gem – mineral, structured, and built for aging. Perfect with seafood, shellfish, creamy pastas, roast poultry, and Alpine cheeses.
Must use code HOLIDAY6 at checkout to redeem the discount
Indulge a little, get ready for your holiday meals, or surprise someone special with a Sassaia Holiday Pack—perfect for anyone who appreciates Burgundy-style whites and timeless Piedmont reds.
Italy/EU: Secure shipping in Italy and select EU countries, with temperature-controlled logistics where available. Must be 21+ years old to purchase.
Built to age and reward patience
Timorasso is not a wine that peaks in its first year. Its high acidity, extract, and barrel regimen give it the structure to evolve for a decade or more.
Years 1–3
- Vibrant citrus and yellow-fleshed fruit
- Pronounced minerality, saline notes
- Freshness with an initial hint of honey, linear profile, and firm acidity
Years 4–7
- Honey, chamomile, and toasted nuts begin to emerge
- Texture becomes broader and layered
- Ideal window for complex gastronomic pairings
Years 8–12+
- Dried fruit, wax, savory hints
- Structure softens, but the backbone remains
- A white that can stand next to mature Burgundy and aged Barolo at the same table
Practical Note
Store bottles horizontally, away from light, at a stable and cool temperature. Decant young vintages briefly. Handle older bottles gently and use Burgundy-style glasses.
From raw seafood to aged cheese: special pairings for special whites
Butter-poached lobster, scallops, rich shellfish
Truffle pasta, Parmigiano risotto, roasted poultry
Aged cheeses: Comté, Gruyère, Parmigiano Reggiano
Noble fish: turbot, halibut, cod with beurre blanc
A family name with deep roots
Our family roots date back to 1573, to Giulio de Alessandrini, a 16th-century physician whose holistic view of health inspires our approach to wine today. We honor this heritage by creating wines that balance tradition and progress: rooted in Piedmont, refined with Burgundian technique, guided by meticulous attention to detail.
Ready to add Timorasso to your cellar?
IIf you love white Burgundy and great Piedmont, Timorasso deserves a place in your cellar. The Timorasso Discovery Pack is your invitation to explore a grape with the structure of "White Barolo," made with Burgundy barrel fermentation and the de Alessandrini Sassaia Method.
Production is limited, and our best bottles are increasingly finding space in the cellars of collectors and high-level restaurants. We have reserved a small allocation for those ready to discover what Timorasso can be.
Clear and secure checkout. Temperature-controlled shipping windows where possible. Must be of legal drinking age to purchase.
