Monchiero
Monchiero Barolo Rocche di Castiglione 2020
Great wines stem from exceptional vineyards, and the Rocche di Castiglione vineyard in the Castiglione Falletto part of Barolo is as good as it gets for Nebbiolo. This “cru” site boasts a thin, steep, south-east facing hillside, ideal for producing perfumed and balanced Barolo. Although single vineyard Barolos are among Italy’s most expensive, they are relatively undervalued in the world of wine.
VINEYARD
Designation
Subregion
Designation
Grape Variety
Type
Soil
Vineyard
WINERY
Fermentation
Aging
Alcohol
AT HOME
Serving Temperature
Cellaring
Castiglione Falletto
Montanello
100% Nebbiolo
Dry, still red wine
Sand with sandstone and clay. Soil appears reflective and white due to deposits of quartz and fossils.
Produced with grapes from the “cru” Rocche di Castiglione located in the historic town of Castiglione Falletto. Elevation is 1150 feet (350 meters) above sea level. Southeast facing and very steep.
Maceration lasts 20 days, followed by fermentation in stainless steel with pump overs for 20 days.
Three years aging in traditional large Slavonian casks, then two years aging in bottle before release.
14.5%
61°F (16°C)
Up to 30 years
Appearance:
Medium garnet with an orange rim.
Nose:
Dried strawberry, dried figs, chocolate, vanilla, cracked leather, dried truffle, old paper, tea, almond, crushed rock and fennel.
Taste:
Red cherry, orange peel and bittersweet chocolate. Medium body, but high acidity and tannin.
Pairing:
Great with stews, braised red meat or game, truffle dishes or seasoned cheese.
Why We Love This Wine
The Monchiero family purchased the Rocche di Castiliglione parcel in the 1970’s, but it had been famous for decades prior. The vineyard simply known as Rocche, had been the first Barolo vineyard to be bottled on its own in 1961. In the 1980’s, Rocche vineyard wines were the highest priced of all Barolos, and since the 1990’s, they have always been bottled separately. In 2010, the name was legally changed to Rocche di Castiglione, avoiding confusion with neighboring vineyard Rocche dell’Annunziata.
Today, only seven wineries produce Rocche di Castiglione Barolo, including renowned names like Vietti, Oddero, Brovia, and Roagna. Despite owning two prime acres in the vineyard, Monchiero remains relatively unknown.
The unique white, reflective soils of Rocche di Castiglione, rich in minerals and fossils from its past as a seabed, known as marna di Sant'Agata, set it apart. This distinctive soil composition, combined with the vineyard's location, results in a lighter-bodied wine with pronounced aromatics of dried flowers and red fruit. The wine is made using traditional techniques and aged for three years in large Slavonian oak casks. While enjoyable now, these wines have the depth to age for decades.
Barolo
Rocche di
2020
Castiglione
Minerally and nuanced expression that shows the layered, ethereal aspect of Rocche di Castiglione. Delineated, soft-spoken scents of dried roses, earthy berries, orange zest and crushed stones. Chalky and mineral with fine tannins and a subtle but persistent finish that goes on. Elegant, inconspicuous and already delicious, but can hold.
— Zekun Shuai, JamesSuckling.com
Cinnamon, clove, and a hint of black pepper – these dark spices are the secret weapons in this Barolo's flavor arsenal. Baked plums and roasted blackberries join forces to create a warmed, earthy fruit profile that's as comforting as it is exciting. The fleshy, rounded texture is like a trusty sidekick, ensuring a solid and satisfying finish.
— Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast
About the Winery
The Monchiero family, with a longstanding connection to winemaking, initially worked as sharecroppers on the Montanello estate, cultivating grapes. In the 1950s, brothers Remo and Maggiorino acquired their own land and began producing wine under the Monchiero label in the 1970s. By 1982, they had purchased a winery dating back to the 13th century. Presently, the 25 acres of vineyard and winery are managed by their son, Vittorio, and his wife, Daniela, with their children, Luca and Stefano, actively involved in overseeing the operations.
Images Courtesy of Monchiero