Barolo Castellero DOCG 2020

Barolo Castellero DOCG 2020 / Giacomo Fenocchio / Piedmont
Red wine from Italy

Since 1864, the Giacomo Fenocchio family winery has existed in Monforte d'Alba in the province of Cuneo, in the heart of the Barolo growing area, and is entirely dedicated to the production of Italy's most famous wine. The winery covers an area of ​​​​around 14 hectares and includes some of the best vineyards in the region, including the renowned Castellero, Bussia, Villero and Cannubi sites. The vineyards are located on the hills surrounding the village of Barolo and benefit from calcareous soils and a mild climate. Today the company is run by Claudio Fenocchio, who modestly describes himself as a "craftsman" of viticulture.

The name Nebbiolo is derived from the Italian word for fog, which refers to the white coating when fully ripe. The history of the Nebbiolo grape in Piedmont goes back to the Middle Ages, and from the 18th century onwards the Barolo and Barbaresco growing regions became famous. In the 19th century, winemaking practices were perfected that are still used today. Today, winemakers rely on sustainable practices and modern technologies. Nebbiolo thrives particularly well in calcareous soils and specific microclimates. The grapes are small, rich in tannins and have a balanced acid structure that gives the wines complexity and longevity.

The Nebbiolo grapes for Giacomo Fenocchio's Barolo Castellero DOCG come from the Castellero hill, one of the most prestigious and high-quality vineyards in the Barolo region. The hill is located in the municipality of Barolo, which is authorized for the production of the famous Barolo wine. Thanks to the ideal hillside location, which ensures optimal sunlight and ventilation, the Castellero hill offers perfect conditions for viticulture. The soils of the hill are mainly composed of calcareous marl, rich in minerals and with good permeability. These mineral soils promote the complexity, structure and longevity of the wines. The specific microclimate of the hill, characterized by moderate temperatures, sufficient rainfall and good ventilation, supports the slow and uniform ripening of the Nebbiolo grapes and contributes to the optimal development of aromas and tannins. The vineyards of the Castellero hill are mostly planted in terraces to minimize erosion and maximize sun exposure. The careful arrangement of the vines and the intensive care of the vineyards ensure the high quality of the grapes. With a long tradition of winemaking and a history of outstanding Nebbiolo wines, the Castellero hill is one of the most prestigious locations in the Barolo region, characterized by ideal natural conditions and human skill.

The grapes are carefully harvested by hand in the first two weeks of October. This is followed by a long maceration of forty days - a traditional method of Barolo production and a trademark of Claudio Fenocchio. The subsequent fermentation, which takes place without the addition of yeast in stainless steel tanks, also lasts forty days. Then the long maturation process begins, during which the wine initially rests for six months in stainless steel tanks. Here it develops its aromas and begins to unfold its full potential. Giacomo Fenocchio's Barolo Castellero finally gets its unmistakable character from thirty months of storage in large barrels made of Slovenian oak.

This Barolo shines in an intense, classic garnet colour and is a real eye-catcher. On the nose, it reveals a clean and rich aroma that combines floral and fruity notes in perfect harmony. These are accompanied by subtle hints of roots and liquorice, which give the wine a special depth. On the palate, this jewel of Italian winemaking is a wine full of character with long-lasting, present tannins. Its velvety texture and harmonious structure are skillfully rounded off by fine nuances of sweet spices and jam, which makes the taste experience incomparable. A wine that is particularly well suited to aging.

At an optimal drinking temperature of around 17 to 18 degrees Celsius and after decanting for at least an hour, the Barolo Castellero unfolds its full potential and goes excellently with meat dishes. Its rich aromas and distinctive structure harmonize perfectly with the intense flavor of roast beef. Dishes with game, such as deer, roe deer or wild boar, also perfectly complement the strong aromas and texture of the meat and underline the tannins and complexity of the wine. Grilled or braised lamb, especially when seasoned with herbs and garlic, also goes very well with this fine wine. Truffle dishes benefit from the earthy notes of the truffle and the creamy texture of a risotto, which harmonize wonderfully with the complex flavours of the Barolo. A simple dish such as pasta with truffles and a little olive oil becomes a luxurious experience when combined with this red wine. Matured hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino or Grana Padano are also excellent accompaniments to the Barolo. Rich blue cheeses like Gorgonzola also pair well, as the saltiness and creaminess of the cheese balance the tannins of the wine. Ossobuco, the braised veal shank dish, goes well with a Barolo, as the flavours and texture of the meat complement the tannins and acidity of the wine. Likewise, braised beef or pork prepared with herbs, vegetables and wine pair beautifully with the structure and flavours of Barolo. The earthy and rich flavours of mushrooms, especially porcini, also pair well with a Barolo. A hearty mushroom ragout served with polenta or pasta is an excellent choice. A well-seasoned grilled or roasted steak, especially ribeye or tenderloin, pairs perfectly with this wine. Grilled vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini and peppers can also be a good pairing, especially when prepared with herbs and olive oil.

General properties

• Vintage: 2020
• Ageing: Trocken
• Country: Italy
• Region: Piedmont
• Volume: 0.75 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Giacomo Fenocchio - Loc. Bussia 72 - 12065 Monforte d'Alba (CN) - Italia - +39 0173 78675
• Quality Designation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo in the subvarieties Michet and Lampia from the Castellero hillside in the municipality of Barolo.
  
• Vineyards area: 0.8 hectare.
• Exposition: West.
• Altimetry: Hilly area at 280m above the sea-level.
• Soil: Tortoniano, marly with tuff and a significant proportion of sand that keeps it always dry.
  
• Age of the vineyards: 30 years.
• Grape yield per hectare: 70 quintals.
• Harvest: First two weeks of October.
• Vinification: Traditional method with long maceration; natural fermentation without addition of yeast for about 40 days in stainless steel tanks.
  
• Ageing: 6 months in stainless steel tanks, 30 months in large Slavonian oak barrels (20-25 hl) - subsequent refinement in the bottle.
  
• Sensory characteristics: Clean and full-bodied on the nose with floral and fruity notes as well as hints of roots and liquorice. A wine full of character with long-lasting tannins. Velvety and harmonious with notes of sweet spices and jam.
  
• Colour: Intense classic garnet red.
  
• Alcohol content: 14.0 to 14.5 % Vol.
• Total acidity: From 5.3 to 5.8 g/l
• Closure type: Natural cork.
• How to serve: Goes perfectly with rich dishes such as roast beef, game, truffle dishes and mature cheese. Its tannins and acid structure make it an ideal accompaniment to fatty and protein-rich dishes.
  
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 17 und 18°C. The Barolo should definitely be decanted prior to consumption.
• Allergens: Contains sulphites.
  
• Warning: Consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, even in small quantities, can have serious consequences for the child's health.
• Scope of supply: 1 bottle of wine 0.75 litres.

Grape variety

NEBBIOLO

Nebbiolo is a noble red grape variety cultivated mainly in Piedmont, a region in northwestern Italy. It is particularly well known for its role in renowned Italian red wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Its name derives from "nebbia", the Italian word for mist, which refers to the white coating that forms on the berries when fully ripe. The history of the Nebbiolo grape in Piedmont dates back to at least the Middle Ages, when monks are believed to have cultivated this variety, particularly in the hills around Alba and Asti. During the Renaissance and early modern period, viticulture gained importance in Piedmont, and the Nebbiolo grape established itself as one of the region's most important varieties. The first records of Nebbiolo wines date from this era. In the 18th century, Piedmontese winemakers intensified the cultivation of the Nebbiolo grape, particularly in the hills of the Langhe and Roero, and in the areas of Barolo and Barbaresco. These regions soon became the most famous producing areas for Nebbiolo wines. The 19th century marked a golden age for Piedmontese winemaking. The Nebbiolo grape was further refined, and famous wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco were developed. This period also saw the perfection of certain winemaking practices and production techniques that are still used today. Today, Piedmontese winemaking is experiencing a renaissance. The cultivation of Nebbiolo has evolved, with winemakers increasingly relying on sustainable practices and adopting cutting-edge technology to improve the quality of their wines. The leaves of the Nebbiolo plant are medium-sized, rounded and dark green, often five-lobed and slightly wavy. The grapes are usually medium-sized, cylindrical or slightly conical in shape, and have a loose structure that promotes good ventilation and reduces the risk of fungal diseases. The berries are relatively small, with thin, delicate skin and a bluish-black colour. They ripen late in the season, which is typical for this variety. Nebbiolo thrives best in hilly or mountainous regions with calcareous soils, making Piedmont its ideal habitat. The best Nebbiolo wines often come from areas with specific microclimates that allow for slow ripening and optimal aroma development. The berries contain a high concentration of tannins and a balanced acid structure, which gives the wines made from this variety structure, complexity and longevity.

Protection of minors: We deliver this article only to adults of unlimited legal capacity and reserve the right to demand appropriate proof of age. The data required for the order, such as name, address, etc., must be provided in full and truthfully.