Ceretto : Rocche di Castiglione 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Rocche di Castiglione 2021 from Ceretto

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue with garnet highlights.

Nose

The nose is complex and vibrant, revealing aromas of kirsch, mint, cedar and sweet tobacco, alongside notes of incense and dried herbs. Scents of eucalyptus, blueberry and cherry mingle with floral nuances of violet and sweet spices. With aeration, touches of toasted hazelnut and dried flowers further enhance the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine shows a broad structure supported by delicate, finely integrated tannins. The texture is juicy and silky, with remarkable crystal-clear purity. Refreshing acidity brings perfect balance to the fruit concentration. The finish lingers at length, carried by pleasing freshness and refined tannins that persist through the very last moments of the tasting.

Food and wine pairing

This Barolo is an ideal match for roasted red meats, notably beef, lamb and game. It pairs beautifully with aged cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Asiago. Mushroom-based dishes, especially those featuring white truffles, make for exceptional pairings. Traditional Piedmontese dishes such as tajarin with ragù or porcini risotto also elevate this wine.

Serving and cellaring

The Rocche di Castiglione 2021 can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until around 2046.

A Barolo from Piedmont combining mineral tension and Italian elegance

The estate

Founded in 1930 in Alba, Ceretto is a leading family estate in Piedmont, renowned for an innovative interpretation of terroir based on selecting the finest soils. Around Alba and La Morra, it crafts 17 iconic cuvées, notably from nebbiolo. Since 2015, all wines have been certified organic; harvesting is done by hand, and aging is carried out without barriques in order to favor purity of expression. The current owners are Lisa, Roberta, Alessandro and Federico Ceretto.

The vineyard

The Rocche di Castiglione vineyard stretches from the Castiglione Falletto castle to the territory of Monforte d'Alba. The plots enjoy a southeast exposure at an altitude between 350 and 370 meters. The soils, particularly poor and friable, feature a composition of sand, silt and clay, with bedrock frequently close to the surface. This geological configuration gives this Barolo its characteristic minerality and distinctive tension.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage particularly highlighted the characteristics of the Castiglione Falletto terroir. Climatic conditions favored gradual ripening, preserving aromatic freshness and acid balance while reaching optimal phenolic maturity. This year produced Piedmont wines of great aromatic precision and crystalline elegance.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Rocche di Castiglione 2021 are harvested by hand. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with extended maceration allowing for gentle extraction. The wine is then aged for one year in French oak barrels, followed by an additional year in large oak casks. Bottle aging precedes release.

Grape variety

100% nebbiolo