Castrum Roche Di Costamagna Langhe Nebbiolo 2023 2024

Castrum Roche di Costamagna is the young Piedmont winery of Isacco Costamagna, who planted vines in La Morra in 2014 and sold his fruit before turning to making his own wine. This Langhe Nebbiolo is the unoaked expression, grown organically and aged seven months in stainless steel so the grape speaks clearly. Nebbiolo is the noble grape of the Langhe, an early budder and late ripener that needs the calcareous marl soils and long autumns of the hills around La Morra to ripen its firm tannin and high acidity. Keeping the wine in steel rather than wood preserves its perfume and fresh fruit and lets the variety's signature aromatics come through unmasked. The colour is bright ruby with garnet highlights. The nose is floral and aromatic, with red cherry and berry fruit, rose, dried herbs and a touch of liquorice. The palate is medium-bodied, with crisp acidity, the fine grippy tannin typical of Nebbiolo and an earthy, savoury finish. Serve at 16 degrees, slightly cooler than a heavier red. It suits roast poultry, mushroom dishes and hard cheese.