2010 Barolo Castellero

Barale's 2010 Barolo Castellero is broad, ample and generous on the palate, with plenty of Castellero spice and balsamic overtones. Dark red cherries, cloves and mint are some of the nuances that add complexity on the finish. This is a solid effort from Barale.

The 2010 Barolo Castellero (aged for three years in botte grande) is a profound and beautiful wine on all levels. From the first impact of the bouquet down to the last sip in the glass, Castellero awards a fantastic, all-Nebbiolo experience. You can’t beat the elegance and grace on display here. Licorice, pressed rose, violets, anise seed and cardamom reach seamless integration. Expressive fruit flavors follow silky tannins and beautifully balanced acidity. This wine is absolutely gorgeous and I can’t wait to revisit it in ten or twenty years when it has had more time to flesh out. The Barale family has owned most of the Castellero cru for some 200 years and they are among the few estates to offer this single vineyard wine. Drink: 2017-2035. Sergio Barale has released some of his finest wines ever. The Barolo Castellero (the wine most identified with this estate) and the Barolo Bussia Sergio Barale are simply outstanding. One missing protagonist is the Barolo Cannubi. Sergio and his family decided to replant their holdings in the famous Barolo cru and that wine was last produced in 2007. Production of the Barolo Cannubi will start again with the 2011 vintage. To date, the replanted vines are only five years old so fans of this expression will need to wait much longer before the vineyard reaches a more mature age. Sergio chose a new Nebbiolo clone from the Michet biotype (CN311) that is particularly well suited to the thinner, well-draining soils of Cannubi. He matched that clone with a rootstock (420A) that enables deep root penetration. Both choices reflect a long term vision that will reward those with the patience to wait until Cannubi reaches its prime production years. Various American Importers, including: Chambers Street Wines, www.chambersstwines.com; Wine Appellations Ltd, www.noblegrapewines.com; Lo Duca Bros., www.loducabros.com

Barolo. Just mid ruby with orange tinges. Spicy cherry fruit but not really open yet. Smothering Barolo power with a subtle note of oak. Fresh red cherry fruit with pretty, grainy tannins on the finish. Tactile, long and elegant. (WS)