2014 - Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Vietti

Vietti's 2014 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is shaping up to be a modern-day classic. Piercing, intense and austere in the best sense of the word, the Rocche is a wine of laser-like focus that will leave Barolo lovers weak in the knees. Candied cherry, pomegranate, kirsch, rose petal and violet overtones give the 2014 its inner sweetness and captivating perfume. In a word: stunning. Don't miss it.

This is a beautiful wine from a challenging vintage—Luca Currado tells me it reminds him of his father and his childhood. Indeed, the 2014 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a nostalgic wine with old-school Barolo aromas of wild berry, orange peel, hazelnuts and earthy truffle. The wine opens to a very attractive ruby color and dark garnet highlights. The mouthfeel is silky and smooth but extremely well structured at the same time. Some 150 magnums were made in this vintage because there is an expectation that this wine will age with grace and attitude.

Castiglione Falletto. Tasted blind. Dark ruby with bricky rim. Firm cherry and spice nose with hints of sweet tobacco. Soft cherry with the merest touch of oatmeal and framed by powdery, long-lasting tannins. Very shy but long cherry finish. (WS)