Vietti has the enormous advantage of 10 MGA sites at its disposition for blending purposes (and for making single-vineyard wines). This allows them to select the fruit they want to best express any one vintage. The 2018 Barolo Castiglione draws upon those 10 sites (including the recent additions of Mosconi, Ginestra, Bricco Ravera and Briccolina) to make what is ultimately its best-selling wine (with 35,000 bottles released). This classic rendition is tonic and clean with varietal tones of wild berry, rose and rusty nail. Drink 2024-2038.
Plenty of wild-berry character to the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with good fruit focus and firm tannin that will need a year or two to soften. Bright and youthful. Give it time. Best from 2024.
The Castiglione bottling from Vietti is ever-reliable at an excellent price point thanks to the sites it can use for this cuvée. Mid to pale bright blueish ruby in the glass, it is intense and floral on the nose, offering dried rose petal, cherry blossom, tobacco and a hint of lychee. The tannins are graceful and well integrated for Nebbiolo but still have their characteristic bite. Redolent red fruit blossoms turn to a tangy ripe strawberry and redcurrant fruit core. Layered with hints of savoury cedar, tobacco and incense, this offers complexity and approachability. Well made, with the bones to age for 12+ years in bottle.
