Roagna Barolo Rocche di Castiglione 2020

Roagna is a historic Piedmont estate, and this Barolo comes from a 0.48 hectare plot in the Rocche di Castiglione cru at Castiglione Falletto, planted only to Nebbiolo with vines more than thirty years old. The soil is clay and limestone with soft rock and sand, the site faces south and sits at moderate altitude, a combination that ripens the late maturing Nebbiolo fully while the cool air and wide day to night temperature swing hold its acidity and lift its aromatics. Old vines and the small plot give low yields and concentrated fruit. The wine is aged around five years in large cask, a long, slow raising that allows the firm tannins to resolve and oxygen to soften the wine gradually, drawing out the savoury, tertiary complexity for which Barolo is known. It is pale garnet, with the classic Nebbiolo nose of red cherry, dried rose, tar, liquorice and dried herbs. The palate is full bodied and structured, with high acidity and firm, fine grained tannin framing the fruit, and a long, savoury finish. This is a wine to cellar. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees in a large glass and decant well ahead. It suits braised meats and game.