September 18, 2022 - God, men jeg savnede den umiddelbarhed, som Fenocchios Baroloer normalt står for. En anden bruger nævner tørre tanniner, og den følelse deler jeg. Der mangler noget saftighed, selv om alt i øvrigt er i flot balance. Jeg er i vildrede mht. om ikke har toppet, topper nu, eller ikke har toppet endnu.
August 12, 2021 - Medium to dark garnet colour. Raisiny red fruit, roses, tar, and spices, with good acidity, fine but drying tannin, and good length. The alcohol (15% ABV) is warming on the palate, and lightly burning on the aftertaste.
I can see why people refer to the wine as feminine yet powerful. That said, based on this bottle (which I only acquired very recently), to me the 2011 Castellero is too raisiny, alcoholic and drying to be palatable. And closer to a disjointed mess at the edge of falling apart than to a high-class Nebbiolo. (NR)
October 3, 2020 - This is evolving beautifully, and already turning secondary as the tannins have softened and the fresh red fruit flavors have opened up nicely since release, about five years ago. The fruit is accented with rose petal, light tar, white spice, and a surprisingly assertive herbal streak that I really enjoyed. Shows good, elevated acidity throughout. This wine is full of life and verve, and has a hard to find balance of elegance and power. Good versatility too, as it has enough fruit to drink well on its own, and also does well with food.
Inaugural vintage for this wine, going in to G Fenocchio’s Barolo Classico beforehand. The vineyard is just across from where Cannubi/Cannubi and Cannubi Boschis meet. Vines here about 30 years old.
July 20, 2018 - I'm sure the best years are ahead of this, but couldn't wait, as I needed a hit of good nebbiolo. I agree with Eric this is more feminine, lots of rose petal here, but my younger daughter picked up the tar (and in a good way, she noted), while the older one noted the lingering but gentle tannins on the finish. This is pretty essential nebbiolo, pretty and powerful at once, with interesting strawberry notes along with lots of savory aspects. Shame this producer has now been "discovered" and the price is going up while the wine sells out quickly.
July 9, 2016 - Not as as accessible as the Villero was a few months ago but this has excellent potential. Another very nice 2011 by Fenocchio. Hold.
January 23, 2016 - PnP was rough on night one, extremely closed and unyielding, poured two small glasses, re-corked for day 2, where it was decanted for 7 hours, and to nice effect, the wine opened up showing some nice sour cherry fruit, soaked with a little blood & iodine, but the big chalky tannins spoke the loudest. Unlike the Villero this did not show cinnamon notes, but had a good spice component. This will take many years to unwind, but has very good potential.
October 1, 2015 - The nose was lifted and sweet with ripe cherry, pretty floral tones, rich brown spices, hints of menthol and tobacco. On the palate, it was feminine and refined with focused ripe fruits and inner floral tones. Fine tannin appeared near the close, leaving an alluring display of tobacco, rose petal and sweet herbs on the finish. This is stunning!