Community Tasting Note

forceberry wrote:

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - The fruit is sourced from old Vigna del Castello vineyard in Sinio, outside the Barolo region, but some lots from Vigna del Pozzo in Castiglione Falletto in the Barolo region are blended in. Fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, macerated with the skins for 2 weeks. Aged first for 8 months in stainless steel and then for a further year in large Slavonian oak casks. 14% alcohol. Decanted for 4 hours.

Quite translucent dark ruby color with brick-red highlights. Quite big, fruity and somewhat sweet-toned nose with brooding aromas of black cherries, licorice root, some dusty earth, a little bit of charred meat, light marmaladey notes of strawberries, a hint of sappy herbal character and a touch of sweet blueberry. The wine is ripe, moderately full-bodied and quite rich on the palate with surprisingly dry flavors juicy raspberries, some sour cherry bitterness, light gravelly mineral tones, a little bit of sanguine iron, a crunchy hint of cranberry and a touch of licorice. The overall feel is pretty stern and tightly-knit with the assertive and relatively tough tannins and high acidity. The finish is pretty tightly-knit, somewhat warm and quite tannic with long flavors of raspberries, some crunchy cranberries, a little bit of sour cherry bitterness, light earthy tones, hints of licorice and anise and a touch of smoke.

A very stern, serious and structured Nebbiolo that is more like a true Barolo than a "mere" Langhe Nebbiolo. The wine feels slightly more closed and less expressive than in February when I had the wine last time, but this is nevertheless pretty impressive and thoroughly well-made stuff. Seeing how youthful, structured and relatively tough the wine is, I can see it evolving easily for another decade or so. Despite the warm vintage, the wine comes across as surprisingly balanced with the fresh acidity and good sense of precision. Great old-school stuff and definitely among the best Langhe Nebbiolos I know.

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