Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2019 1.5L

Vietti is a winery with a rich history spanning almost 150 years. Founded by Carlo Vietti in the late 1800s in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto, the winery was transformed into a high-quality wine producer by Carlo's son, Mario Vietti, upon his return from living in the United States in 1917. In the 1950s, Alfredo Currado, oenologist and art lover, brought new intuitions to the winery, intertwining wine knowledge with art and culture. Vietti produced one of the first Barolo Crus in 1961 and the first vinification of Arneis in 1967. The wines were accompanied by Art Labels starting in 1974, making the Vietti brand an icon and standard-bearer of important revolutions. The winery's commitment, vision, culture and passion have contributed to its growth and recognition as one of the best Italian wine labels. The Krause Family purchased Vietti in 2016 and decided to extend the winemaking properties with new, renowned crus in the denomination of Barolo and Barbaresco. In 2023, the Heritage was taken over by the Krause Family, already owner of the Cellar since 2016 and standard-bearer of the new future of the Vietti brand. Vietti maintains its founding values and looks towards the future with even more promising and stimulating prospects, with each wine being the result of artisanal work and the profound understanding and interpretation of each individual terroir.

Since 1974, Vietti wines have been adorned with specially-designed original works inspired by the wine of that particular vintage. These works include lithographs, xylographies, etchings, silkscreens and linocuts. The print run is the same as the number of bottles produced and the first hundred labels are signed by the artist. Each work is only used once, just for the wine of that vintage. Since the presentation of the 1982 Barolo Villero in 1988, the artist’s labels have been dedicated exclusively to the wines grown on this great vineyard. The idea for these unique labels was conceived by Alfredo Currado and a group of artist friends over a bottle of Barolo Rocche. They believed that wines like these deserved to be graced with labels unlike any other and the idea began to take shape the following day. These art labels have become an iconic part of the Vietti brand, adding a touch of art and culture to their already exceptional wines.

Vietti's Barolo Castiglione is a classic Barolo made with the finest Nebbiolo grapes. The grapes are sourced from small yet significant vineyards in the various municipalities of Barolo and the vines are between 10 and 45 years old. The soil is rich in limestone and clay and the Guyot training system is used, with an average density of 4500 plants per hectare. This Barolo is Vietti's take on Barolo classico and it is made with the utmost care and attention to detail. To be classified as Barolo wine, it must not only be made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in the designated area, but it must also be aged for a minimum of 38 months, of which at least 18 months must be in wooden barrels.

The Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2019 1.5L is a stunning example of the Barolo D.O.C.G. designation. Each individual cru is vinified and aged separately to bring out the unique characteristics of each "terroir". The grapes are harvested by hand in October and fermented for around three to four weeks in a steel tank, in contact with the skins. After malolactic fermentation in wood, the wine is aged for around 30 months in large barrels and barriques. The ruby-red colour has medium intensity and the explosive, opulent and seductive nose is striking, with notes of plum, red and ripe black cherries, blackberry, rose petal and tobacco. On the palate, the flavour is classic, rich and potent, with notes of alpine herbs and a leathery finish. The tannins are well-integrated. This Barolo pairs perfectly with stew, game, red meats and cheeses. The Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2019 1.5L is a must-try for anyone who appreciates the rich and complex flavors of a classic Barolo.

The 2019 Barolo Castiglione is elegant, translucent and classy. Crushed red berry fruit, orange peel, mint and cinnamon all grace this elegant, wonderfully nuanced Barolo from Vietti. I especially admire the energy here. In many vintages, the Castiglione is easy going and quite accessible, but I see the 2019 needing a few more years to come into its own. I especially admire its focus and cut. - Antoni Galloni, Vinous, 94 Points

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Nebbiolo
Country - Italy
Region - Piedmont
Vintage - 2019
Bottle Size - 1.5L
ABV - 14%
Other - Vegan Friendly
Closure - Cork