2010 - Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Vietti

The 2010 Barolo Rocche is as alluring as it has always been. Yes, it is young. Very young. But its greatness simply can’t be denied. Vivid, precise and nuanced to the core, the 2010 simply has it all. Simply put, the 2010 Rocche is an utterly profound wine that captures all of the nobility of Barolo.

Previously labeled simple as “Rocche,” the 2010 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione now boasts the expanded name of its single vineyard designation. This is a tremendous wine that reaches to the highest aspirations, both in terms of overall complexity and purity. The heft and sheer muscle at the back are irresistible but the wine’s power is irrefutably delivered with grace and intelligence. Delicate mineral nuances of shaved pencil and brimstone add an extra level of aromatic complexity as the wine evolves in the glass. I look forward to tasting this stunning wine after a decade or so of aging. Drink: 2018-2038. Importer: Dalla Terra Winery Direct, www.dallaterra.com

Cask sample and at the time of tasting they were undecided about whether the wine would be bottled under its vineyard name or disappear in the blend called Castiglione. Brilliant and just mid ruby with orange rim. Lifted nose with hint of mint. Chewy, rich sweet fruit with perfectly integrated acidity. Big tannic finish that goes on and on. Perhaps the tannins are a little less polished than in the 2009. (WS)