2011 Barolo Vietti

The 2011 Barolo Castiglione is Vietti's proverbial bread-and-butter wine. It is made in larger volumes (the 2011 vintage saw 56,000 bottles produced) and it shows consistent quality that consumers have come to count on. Fruit is sourced from the greater Castiglione area. The nose is compact and impeccable with dark cherry and plum, backed by spice, licorice and anise seed. There's even a playful touch of bitter chocolate on the close.

Pale ruby with orange tinges. Classic Nebbiolo nose yet closed and with the merest hint of oak. Compact and fresh fruit on the palate with a proper load of firm, ripe tannins and hints of fruit cake and cherry on the finish. Should be a joy to drink in six months’ time. (WS)

The 2011 Barolo Castiglione is an excellent choice for drinking over the next decade or so. Open and resonant in the glass, the 2011 captures all the raciness of the years in its expressive red-toned fruit. Sweet spices, flowers and mint add attractive overtones. Today, the Castiglione appears to be showing some ill effects from its recent bottling, something I am seeing for the first time in the 2011.