FFW 2021 Wine Catalogue

BARBERAD’ALBA, SANTOSTEFANO CASTELLO DI NEIVE 2015 DRINK2017 – 2026

ITALY PIEDMONT

6x75 £85

MEET THE GROWER Castello di Neive BARBARESCO

Perhaps the best Barbera we tried on our trip to Italy andmost likely because it hails from Italo’s superb Santo Stefano vineyard - renowned as one of Barbaresco’s best and wholly owned by Italo since the 1960s. Youwouldn’t know this is 15% alcohol. It is so rounded, has such depth of fruit flavour, poise and power yet at the same time subtle - slowly revealing different fruit and spice flavours. It has a lasting acidity. The end of my tasting note was a speechless “Wow!”, while Julian’s was “very delicious drinking”. If youwant to try Barbera for the first time or as an old favourite – treat yourself to this.

This fabulous estate was bought in 1964 by Italo Stupino and his family. It traces its wine lineage back to 1862 when, as home to the Count of Castelborgo, their red wine won a goldmedal in London. We were completely blown away by the attention to detail in the restoration of the castle and cellars which certainly translated inwhat we found in the wines. Having prized some older vintages for our own tastings andmusings, we find their Barbarescos age incredibly well. Minimal use of sulphur (a plus for the head!), low yields, and excellent vineyards, including their monopole of Santo Stefano, offer up a very compelling range. Somuch so, in fact, that we found ourselves still sitting in the Castello tasting roomat 8.15pm - and late for dinner - but regaled by classical music and munching on their award-winning hazelnuts from their orchard. Santo Stefano is one of the best known bottlings of the late, great Bruno Giacosa who bought selection of Italo’s grapes in a 50-year working partnership: the 1978 and 1982 are particularly sought after. With such pedigree of the vineyard established we are delighted to bring Castello di Neive’s wines to the UK and look forward to sharing themwith you.

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WINE CATALOGUE