2019 Seghesio Castelletto Barolo DOCG, Piedmont

Aromas of red plums and cherries with hints of cocoa, nut shell and dried hibiscus flower. Some citrus peel, too. Medium- to full-bodied, firm and slightly chewy with a subtle red fruit character and hints of dried herbs and walnuts to close. Flavorful. A little austere at the end. Try after 2025.

90 points jamessuckling.com

Seghesio’s Castelletto Barolo DOCG hails from the eastern slopes of Monforte d’Alba, a cru site known for its steep terrain, cool microclimate and structured, ageworthy Nebbiolo. The Seghesio family, with a history in the Langhe dating back to 1964, brings deep knowledge and a restrained touch to their Barolo wines, allowing the purity of site to shine.

The Castelletto vineyard sits on compact marl and sandstone soils with excellent drainage, which helps produce Nebbiolo grapes of concentration and balance. The wine is traditionally vinified with long maceration and matured in large Slavonian oak casks, resulting in a wine of classic style and real gravitas.

This is a brooding and complex Barolo, with aromas of cherry liqueur, dark roses, balsamic herbs and warm spice. On the palate, it’s layered and tightly wound, with red currants, dried fig, crushed rock and a long tannic backbone that suggests a decade or more of cellaring potential. While serious and structured, there’s an elegance to its core that becomes more pronounced with time in the glass.

This Barolo pairs beautifully with braised duck, aged Parmigiano, or porcini mushroom risotto. Decanting is recommended if drinking now, but patience will reward the collector.