Description
This is an impressive Barolo from the village of La Morra, with plenty of red fruit character, a touch of spice and floral notes. While it has typical Barolo tannins, these are very well-balanced and not excessive nor overly drying, that some Barolo wines can occasionally be, and so it’s good to drink now (with decanting) as well as being able to cellar. It’s a wonderful wine, and a great food option for Autumn as truffle season and earthy stews come into play!
TASTING NOTE: A light to medium brick-red colour in the glass, typical of Barolo. On the nose: there are so many different aromas to enjoy, from red fruit to spices, herbs, rose petals and candied orange peel. There are also some savoury notes of game and tar, as the wine opens and further complexity is revealed. On the palate: this wine is full and rich, with juicy red fruit flavour and balanced tannins. It’s a fascinating wine that is not quite as austere as some Barolo wines, has delicious flavour and a long, satisfying, mellow finish. 14% alcohol.
FOOD PAIRING, STORAGE AND SERVICE: Given its power and intensity, this wine calls for equally bold dishes. The classic dishes are braised beef, tagliatelle with ragu or truffle risotto, as well as mature cheeses. To explore further, try with sausages and mash, or barbecued pork dishes. For a veggie option, hearty mushroom dishes, or roast or grilled aubergine work well. This wine is delicious served at room temperature but the Rocche Costamagna team suggest chilling it lightly to 17 degrees C for even better drinking. While it’s firm-structured, it is delicious now with decanting for an hour, or if you are patient enough to store the wine, cellar it for up to ten years.
ABOUT: The Costamagna family has been producing wine since 1841, when the company was founded by Francesco Antonio Costamagna. Today, the estate is overseen by Alessandro Locatelli, who has been managing the vineyards since the 1980s. Located in northern Italy, the winery is based in the La Morra commune, with around 14 hectares under cultivation. In addition to producing wine, Rocche Costamagna also offers on-site accommodation for overnight stays, as well as specialist wine tours.
