Vietti Barolo 2021 is a ruby-toned Nebbiolo of medium intensity, drawn from a mosaic of carefully selected vineyards across the Barolo appellation—spanning the historic communes of Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba and Monforte d’Alba. The vines, trained to Guyot and aged between roughly 10 and 45 years, are rooted in classic limestone- and clay-rich soils that define the structural backbone and aromatic precision of great Barolo.

The appearance is immediately inviting, with a translucent ruby core that hints at both delicacy and depth. On the nose, the wine is strikingly expressive and seductive, opening with an almost overflowing sense of perfume: ripe plum, red cherry and black cherry layered with sour cherry brightness, blackberry depth, and the unmistakable floral lift of rose petal. Beneath this lies a more complex register of tobacco leaf, balsamic nuance, sweet spice and subtle earthy tones, giving the bouquet both charm and dimension.

On the palate, the wine moves with richness and authority, yet never loses its sense of refinement. The fruit is vibrant and beautifully defined, carried by a core of Nebbiolo’s natural structure. Tannins are present but finely integrated, lending shape rather than austerity, while the acidity drives the wine forward with energy and precision. Flavours echo the nose—ripe cherry fruits, plum, floral tones and gentle spice—unfolding into a long, savoury finish with balsamic and mineral undertones.

Each parcel is vinified separately to preserve its identity, then carefully assembled after maturation. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel over 3–4 weeks using traditional submerged-cap maceration, allowing for gentle yet thorough extraction. Malolactic fermentation occurs in wood, followed by approximately 30 months of ageing primarily in large Slavonian oak casks, with a small proportion in barrique to refine texture and integration.

The result is a Barolo of real harmony and beauty—structured yet graceful, powerful yet lifted—capturing both the grandeur of the appellation and the aromatic allure that makes Nebbiolo one of the world’s most captivating grape varieties.

This bottle marks the end of an era, and all you Barolo Castiglione fans out there are in for some very bad news. The name "Castiglione" is being taking off the bottle, and what we have instead is the Vietti 2021 Barolo. In truth, the name "Castiglione" does appear in very small, small letters at the bottom of the label for old time's sake, but during my discussion during this tasting, I agreed to remove it from the wine's official name in our database. I'm told it will definitely be gone by the next release. Apparently, the estate was on the wrong end of a copyright issue, so it had to go. Winemaking has not changed, and the wine remains a blend of 20-plus MGA sites. There is no particular set formula. The parcels are fermented separately and a final blending decision is made further down the road. You still get the same phenomenal value. This wine offers firm structure, plummy dark fruit flavors and elegantly chalky tannins. The finish is a little dry, and that ending gives the wine a near-term personality. This is an ample 70,000-bottle release. 94 Pts, Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate.