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Barolo Castellero DOCG wine — Barale winery — Dionysus
RedBaroloDOCG

Barolo Castellero DOCG

by Barale · Piedmont, Italy

AppellationBaroloDOCG
TypeRed
GrapesNebbiolo
Alcohol14.0%
SweetnessDry
ColourRed
Colour depthDeep
BodyFull-bodied
Serve at16–18 °C
Keeps for24 years
Bottled in0.75 l · 1.5 l
FarmingNatural wine ·VinNatur ↗
BaralePiedmont, Italy

About this wine

Vineyard and terroir

The fruit comes from the Castellero vineyard in Barolo, at 270 m above sea level. The site has a south-west exposure and calcareous loamy-clay soils. First planted in 1978, the vineyard is farmed organically.

Grapes

The vineyard was established using a massal selection of old Nebbiolo clones.

Vinification

The grapes are harvested by hand in the first half of October, carefully sorted, destemmed and gently pressed. Fermentation and skin maceration take place in 50 hL oak vats at a controlled temperature of 30 °C for 15–30 days.

Ageing

The wine matures for 30 months in 15–30 hL French oak barrels, followed by at least one year in bottle in the winery’s cellars.

Vintage notes

Spring 2016 in Piemonte was unusually cool, delaying flowering. Summer was warm and dry, but the vines did not experience drought despite the lack of rain. Severe hail struck in July, while gale-force winds reduced yields by up to 10%; otherwise, the growing season was extremely favourable. Fine weather continued before harvest, and pronounced differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures allowed Nebbiolo to ripen while retaining its delicate aromas. The resulting wines had excellent structure, balance and vibrant aromatics.