Castrum Roche Di Costamagna Langhe Nebbiolo Legno 2023

Castrum Roche di Costamagna is the Piedmont project of Isacco Costamagna, who began with a small plot from his grandparents in La Morra and now farms organically in the Langhe. Legno is the oak-aged Langhe Nebbiolo, spending eight months in barrel where the unoaked version sees only steel. Nebbiolo buds early and ripens late, demanding the calcareous marl and long, mild autumns of the La Morra hills to bring its high acidity and firm tannin to ripeness. The time in wood allows slow oxygen exchange that rounds the tannin and adds a layer of spice and vanilla, while still leaving room for the grape's aromatics. The colour is ruby with garnet edges. The nose shows ripe red fruit, cherry and red berries, with rose, dried herbs, a savoury spice and a hint of liquorice from the oak. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, the Nebbiolo tannin grippy but softened by barrel ageing, finishing earthy and long. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant young. It suits roast meats, game and mushroom dishes.