Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Brunella is a Boroli monopole in Castiglione Falletto and the family's flagship cru. The historic vineyard surrounds Cascina Brunella at the western edge of the Villero subzone. Rather than occupying a single hillside, it forms an elongated ring of Nebbiolo around an oval hill.
The parcels lie at 280–320 m and face south, east and west, with south/southwest and east predominant. Calcareous clay soil extends roughly 0.5 m down to marl and includes veins of sand. Its measured texture is 32.5% sand, 46.1% silt and 21.4% clay. Planting density is 4,000–4,500 vines/ha on Kober/SO4 rootstock. Vines range from 6 to 40 years old, averaging 35 years.
Grapes
100% Nebbiolo.
Vinification
Harvest is normally around mid-October and is carried out entirely by hand into small crates. The vineyard is divided into micro-parcels according to cluster ripeness. Separate picking passes preserve uniformity, and each parcel may produce several micro-cuvées that remain separate through vinification and ageing.
Fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks. Submerged-cap maceration follows at controlled temperature for a medium-to-long period of up to 30 days, with the skins held approximately 40–50 cm below the surface.
Ageing
The micro-cuvées spend at least 18 months in wood before blending. Bottling takes place in June or July, and the wine remains in bottle until release the following year.
Tasting profile
Brunella combines elegance and structure with broad, persistent aromas. The 2020 is youthful and expressive, showing ripe red cherry, wild strawberry and delicate floral notes. Its palate is balanced and velvety, with very fine tannins, refreshing acidity and the capacity to gain complexity with age.
Vintage notes
The 2020 growing season was slightly early but regular. Nebbiolo was harvested from late September into early October with balanced sugar, acidity and tannin ripeness. The season combined a mild, dry winter, evenly distributed spring rainfall of about 250 mm, and a warm summer reaching approximately 30–32°C. Strong day-to-night temperature differences in August and September supported slow ripening and preserved acidity. The vintage was judged outstanding and produced structured, elegant wines with longevity.
Label / history
The name Brunella has identified this site for more than 450 years and is among the oldest Langhe place-names associated with a clearly defined winegrowing area. The vineyard has been documented since the 1600s. The first Barolo Brunella vintage was 2013.
