From: Piedmont, Italy
Blend: Nebbiolo
Taste: Monica Larner of Wine Advocate aptly described the 2017 Castello di Perno Barolo: a luscious garnet hue with notes of ripe cherry, plum, and a refined sprinkle of spice. The wine beautifully captures the character of a warm vintage, offering a palate that's both concentrated and nuanced. With its readiness, it promises a delectable experience from 2023 to 2035. Larner awards this Barolo 91 points.
Pairing: Barolo's intense acidity and richness find their best companions in hearty dishes. Barolo accentuates the flavors of the region's culinary delights, from robust meats to Piedmont's aromatic truffles and mushrooms, and famed strong cheeses. Vegetarians can bask in the glory of a mushroom risotto paired with this wine. And for a light treat? The world-famous hazelnuts from Piemonte toasted to perfection, are an impeccable match.
Pasta With Radicchio, Gorgonzola and HazelnutsBy Colu Henry
About. In the heart of Italy's iconic wine region, atop a ridge overlooking the village of Monforte d'Alba, lies the historic Castello di Perno. This medieval masterpiece, originally built as a defense against invaders, later became a sanctuary for Italy's literary minds, courtesy of publisher Giulio Einaudi. Today, it stands not just for its storied past but also for the passion and precision that embodies the Castello di Perno wines.
The Castello di Perno's legacy spans from its medieval origin with the Falletti family to its transformation into a hub for literature under Giulio Einaudi. It was a refuge for luminaries like Primo Levi, whose legacy is still remembered by a quaint plaque beneath the castle walls. In 2012, this grand establishment found a new custodian in Gregorio Gitti, a professor of civil law and wine enthusiast, who envisioned a future that harmoniously combined its cultural and viticultural histories.
Gitti's passion led him to rejuvenate an old winery near the castle, bringing the esteemed enologist Gian Luca Colombo into the fold. The winery began producing a series of remarkable wines from 2014 onwards, celebrating the authentic character of Barolo and the region's indigenous varieties.
The vineyard is pivotal in crafting the Barolo that speaks of its terroir. The vineyard's location, nestled low in the cooler zones, takes advantage of its east-southeast-facing position. This slower maturation process offers a distinctive character to the Nebbiolo grapes, marking them with intense yet soft tannins, a minty and camphor-led profile, occasionally graced by spice, rhubarb, and dark fruit notes.
When one describes Castello di Perno's wines, three words come to mind: Freshness, Drinkability, and Elegance. These wines, especially the Barolo, echo the minerality and zest of Monforte's limestone and clay soils. They are inviting, modern, and embody the identity of the terroir from which they arise.
According to Matteo Calvaruso, the brand ambassador, the philosophy behind the wines is rooted in honoring each vineyard's authenticity and distinctiveness. There's a commitment to using single varieties from individual vineyards, leading to recognizable and balanced creations. The Barolo DOCG, in particular, is matured in French and Slavonian oak.
