About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Barolo Villero comes from a 0.77 ha parcel in the historic Villero cru of Castiglione Falletto. The vineyard lies at approximately 280–300 m and faces south to southwest.
Its geology combines Sant’Agata marl, sand, silt, clay and limestone. Alternating silty layers contain plant remains, shells and fossils, while the limestone-clay topsoil extends about one metre down to marl and retains moisture effectively. Measured texture is 15% sand, 60% silt and 25% clay. The planting density is 4,500 vines/ha on Kober rootstock. Vines average about 35–40 years old; the 2020 technical sheet gives an average age of 40 years.
Grapes
100% Nebbiolo.
Vinification
Harvest normally takes place around mid-October and is performed entirely by hand into small crates. The vineyard is divided into micro-parcels according to cluster ripeness, with separate picking passes to maintain uniform fruit. The resulting micro-cuvées remain separate through vinification and maturation.
The grapes are crushed and destemmed. Alcoholic fermentation lasts 10–12 days in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Submerged-cap maceration continues for 20–25 days. Malolactic fermentation is completed in small barrels at controlled temperature.
Ageing
The wine matures for 18 months in oak vessels of 225, 500 and 1,000 L, followed by at least one year in bottle before release.
Technical data
Alcohol: 14%. Residual sugar: 0.36 g/L. Total acidity: 5.82 g/L. Non-reducing extract: 31.4 g/L.
Tasting profile
Bright garnet red. Persistent aromas of ripe red fruit, plum and cherry open into spice. The palate is rich, with a clear presence of polished tannins. The combination of site and prolonged maceration gives a powerful, structured wine with aromatic depth, integrated tannins, mineral complexity and balance. It is intended for long ageing and may reach its fullest expression many years after harvest.
Label / history
Villero is a historic Castiglione Falletto vineyard formerly classified as a first-class cru. The first vintage bottled separately was 1997.
