"Baroleggiano" is a word in the local Piemontese dialect for wines that aren't technically Barolo but totally taste like it. Renzo Castella's single vineyard Madonnina Nebbiolo is one of those wines. If you love Nebbiolo, you've got to try this wine!
I'm not kidding folks, this is basically Barolo for $24.99!
That might sound like a stretch, but you're going to have to trust your wine guy. Renzo Castella's Nebbiolo vineyard is located just outside of the Barolo DOCG, on the border between Diano d'Alba and Serralunga d'Alba. Trust me when I say this is prime real estate for the Nebbiolo grape, and you can take a look at Castella's certified organic vineyard below.
Also trust me when I say this smells and taste like Barolo, it's just less tannic, so you can drink it now, like TONIGHT! Flowing with pure and radiant aromas and flavors of cherry, wild strawberry, violet, rose petal, truffles, and white pepper, it's not the heaviest Nebbiolo we stock, but it's that elegance and transcendental perfume that will keep you coming back for sip after sip.
Renzo Castella is a simple man. He doesn't have a flashy winery or tasting room, he is a farmer, and he prefers to let the fruit from his certified organic vineyards do the talking. His Madonnina Nebbiolo is fermented in stainless steel and aged in larger, neutral oak barrels, and this old-school and traditional method allows the natural character of the fruit and the place to shine bright.
Castella's Nebbiolo has become a favorite amongst sommeliers, but it's still under the radar amongst consumers. I'm not going to complain because the price continues to be absurdly low. I can't stress enough how much this wine smells and tastes like Barolo, but it's just $25.....
While it is drinking great now, it will continue to evolve and improve over the next 7 to 10 years. Words don't do it justice, you need to grab a few bottes, decant it for an hour, and drink it with a mushroom risotto, lamb chops, or duck.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
