2023CastrumRocheLangheRosato,Piedmont,Italy

<p>100% Nebbiolo from Isacco’s estate fruit in Torriglione vineyard. For context: </p><p>Isacco Costamagna is the man behind Barolo’s brand new Castrum Roche. He inherited two prime hectares in La Morra in 2014, all in the Torriglione vineyard—a cru Barolo-heads know, even if they don’t. It’s blended into the crazy-good ‘Berri’ Barolo of Trediberri, was once labeled as a (v culty) Rocche dell’Annunziata parcel by Roberto Voerzio, and arguably the deepest cut of all, is on a handful of Bartolo Mascarello labels (as the hometown of his grandfather). This is hallowed ground he’s inherited, and it’s front and center in his tiny production. </p><p>From 2017 to 2020 Isacco sold his estate fruit to his neighbor Trediberri (who we love!). During that time he worked for Luigi Oddero, neighbor-and-legend Accomasso – a producer as mythic as they are difficult to find (not imported to the US) – and got his degree in viticulture & oenology from University of Turin. It was in 2021 that he turned his full attention to making his own wine, keeping the fruit for himself and launching the winery with a very, very special Langhe Nebbiolo. </p><p>2022 was only his second vintage of the Langhe Rosso, and his first to land stateside; the Rosato is a selection of this same fruit. Like the Rosso, this is wildly expressive Nebbiolo that can’t help but be a serious wine despite being made simply in tank with short maceration. It has the natural texture and breadth you see from famously packed soils like those in Torriglione.</p><p>A bottle that once again has us patiently waiting for when he rolls his first Barolo out (in 2027) from the same site.</p>