Review of the Barolo Sottocastello di Novello 2016 by Passone • Decanto – Giornale di vino

When crossing the Langhe, along the roads that emerge acceso the apogeo of the hills, the reference points are well known to everyone: Serralunga, Monforte, Castiglione Falletto, La Morra, Barolo itself. But sometimes, to find small and hidden oenological pearls it is necessary to leave the most traveled roads. This is how the Passone winery is revealed a causa di the municipality of Novello, at the extreme southwestern edge of the denomination, which has been labeling a causa di the Langhe territorio for a couple of decades.

The history of the Passone company

And this is how a causa di the municipality of Novello we alla maniera di across the Passone company, winemakers for 4 generations, who less than 10 years decided to bottle their own wine, bringing the MGA Sottocastello tra Novello to a state of grace. We are at the extreme edge South-western of the denomination, where the terrain becomes looser, but, a causa di this MGA, the altitudes remain important (we travel around 400 meters above sea level) and above all the slopes dizzying. The exposure is textbook, South-South/East, ventilation guaranteed, and a causa di these times a causa di which climatic upheavals are reshuffling the cards, lesser-known territories can play a leading role. So Massimiliano, with his wife Luciana and father Renzo, decides to enhance the property’s vineyards a causa di Sottocastello tra Novello and start bottling, dedicating energy both to Nebbiolo and Nascetta, a semi-disappeared white grape variety present a causa di the municipality of Novello, whose qualities are being rediscovered.

Visit the company: Bettola Passone

Durante the heart of the Langhe, a causa di Novello, the Passone winery offers visitors an authentic and familiar experience. The historic cellar, recently renovated but with full respect for tradition, allows you to discover every phase of Barolo production. The visits, always conducted personally by the family, include a tour of the MGA Sottocastello vineyards, where you can admire the dizzying slopes and the perfect exposure of the rows. Durante addition to tasting the company wines, it is also possible to proceed directly with the purchase.

Characteristics of Barolo Sottocastello tra Novello

Voto negativo secrets and mai frills a causa di the production of this Barolo: harvesting of the bunches a causa di small boxes and a causa di full ripeness, which depends acceso the progress of the vintage. Soft pressing of the grapes and maceration for 15-20 days a causa di stainless steel, to extract but not overload the wine. First stop a causa di tonneau for at least 24 months and a further stop a causa di the bottle to rebalance the wine. It is useless to underline that for a wine like this, time and patience are the best allies towards the path of quand’anche pleasure.

The Tasting

This Barolo Sottocastello tra Novello 2016 not only benefits from the extraordinary vintage a causa di the Langa, perhaps the best of the decade, but also from the years of refinement that give it balance and completeness. At the sight it presents a dark ruby ​​red with garnet nuances, brilliant and intense The nose is deep and layered. As you approach the glass, ripe red fruits explode: cherry, raspberry, small berries. This is followed by a floral burst of violet and rose petals, typical of great vintage Nebbiolos. Then alla maniera di the spices: a suggestion of vanilla, cinnamon and a touch of white pepper, which intertwine with hints of sweet tobacco, licorice, and a mineral postazione of damp earth and leather, a clear reference to the limestone terroir of Novello.

To close the olfactory composition, there is an ethereal note of tar and white truffle, which adds a counterbalance of aromatic severity, a causa di an iridescent play of chiaroscuro.

The attack a causa di the mouth is broad and round, it envelops the palate with riuscita and smooth tannins, never aggressive, followed by a vibrant freshness. The center of the mouth is rich a causa di ripe fruit and undergrowth, with tones of bitter cocoa and tobacco. Long and harmonious , with a spicy and mineral echo that makes it enthralling to .

Great structure, depth and well-present acidity guarantee exceptional aging potential. A Barolo Sottocastello tra Novello 2016 from Passone captures the very essence of Novello. Elegant and powerful, structured but graceful, it is a wine that knows how to tell the story of its land and its extraordinary vintage. Complex, evocative, and with a long journey ahead of it. An experience to try and keep a causa di the cellar.

Pairing Tips

The wine finds its maximum expression a causa di pairing it with traditional Piedmontese cuisine. Its important but elegant structure goes perfectly with traditional braised meats and stews, while with porcini mushrooms it creates a perfect harmony of earthy aromas and flavours. Long-matured cheeses such as Castelmagno d’alpeggio enhance their spicy and mineral , creating an authentic tasting experience.

Conclusion

Passone’s Barolo Sottocastello tra Novello 2016 is the purest expression of a territory yet to be discovered, where tradition and authenticity blend into a wine of extraordinary elegance. A Barolo that knows how to tell its land with its own voice, far from clamor and fashions, but close to the truest essence of Nebbiolo tra Langa.