VIETTI BAROLO DOCG 2022

An expressive classic from a legend of Barolo. This benchmark label is no longer called Castiglione, but it remains a blend of fruit from premium MGA vineyards with the goal to present an exceptionally complete, complex yet approachable expression of the year. An "overachiever" among its Barolo peers, the Vietti offers supreme value to decant soon or cellar.

They made wine here back in the 1800s, but it was not until 1919 that Mario Vietti turned the family farm to viticulture and Vietti labels first appeared on the Italian market. The winery grew through the 1950’s, when new export markets opened and Mario’s daughter and son in law Alfredo Currado pioneered what was later to become a defining regional idea – single vineyard Barolo and Barbaresco. Today Vietti remain a towering name, with a portfolio occupying the top tier in most Piedmontese categories – particularly their profoundly important expressions of Cru Barolo.

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"The grapes come from small yet significant vineyards in the various municipalities of the Barolo region. The average age of the Guyot-cultivated vines is between 10 and 45 years old, with a density of about 4,500 plants per hectare. The soil is rich in limestone and clay.

Ruby-red colour with medium intensity. The nose is explosive, opulent, seductive and striking. Notes of plum, red ripe black and sour cherries, blackberry, rose petal, and tobacco. On the palate, the flavour is classic, rich and potent, with balsamic and slightly spicy notes. The tannins are well integrated."

93/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2022 Vintage)
"The 2022 Barolo is terrific. Pliant, medium in body and layered, the 2022 is impeccable. It benefits from the inclusion of fruit from Brunate, Cerequio and Villero, none of which were bottled as vineyard-designates. Sweet red cherry, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, mint and dried flowers build nicely in the glass. The 2022 is slender, as so many wines are in this vintage."

93/100 Michaela Morris, Decanter UK (2022 Vintage)
"Vietti’s classic Barolo stands shoulder to shoulder with its single MGA bottlings. In fact, this vintage’s blend includes the best grapes from Brunate and Cerequio, as these weren’t bottled separately in 2022. It is vibrantly perfumed with rose potpourri, bergamot, sweet earth and raspberry. Sculpted and tight, the palate is assertively structured. Upfront tannins slice through supple fruit and acidity is brisk. The finish is a bit arid but, as a whole, this remains sophisticated. Mint and tobacco linger. This is a strong argument for blending in 2022."

93/100 Monica Larner, RobertParker.com. Wine Advocate (2022 Vintage)
"The Vietti 2022 Barolo offers clean, classic lines with aromas of blackcurrant and wild plum that emerge slowly from a somewhat reserved bouquet. Readers may remember from last year's report that this wine replaced the long-standing Barolo Castiglione. Although the word "Castiglione" still appeared in small type on the 2021 label, it has now been removed entirely to reflect the wine's broader blend from 22 MGAs across the appellation. Despite the warmth of the vintage, this release promises an approachable and charming introduction to Nebbiolo with a near- to medium-term drinking window. "