Barbaresco Santo Stefano 2003, Castello di Neive

We are talking about a wine from the Langhe (Piedmont): Barbaresco. The little sister of King Barolo which share the same Nebbiolo grape. Three villages compose the Barbaresco DOCG: Barbaresco itself, Treiso and Neive. As soon as you entry the ancient village of Neive your eyes goes left to look at the magnificient demeure called Castello di Neive. Nearby the village we find a few well known vineyards like Santo Stefano. The wine I’m talking about is Barbaresco Santo Stefano 2003 of Castello di Neive

The wine was well rated by “guru” Robert Parker. I’m quite surprised of a Barbaresco from a vintage 2003 a cause of the incredible heat of the vintage. The colour it is a ruby red quite transparent, like a Nebbiolo must be. A little orange tonality on the rim. The first nose reveales a” finesse” and elegance, notes of mature fruit and a slightly sweet spiceness of the wood ( of french oak).

The second nose opens in a complex bouquet of dried flowers (violets) and mature fruit nearly roasty, as figues and marasca’s cherry. A grassy touch, minerality almost earthy, a slightly bitter aroma in the final. The wine gives off a balsamic note.

At the palate it shows an amazing acidity ( quite remarkable in a very hot years), the alcool is high but well balanced between the freshness and the tannins, which are present but never strong, I’d say nobles.

The structure and the body are a sign of great terroir, and overall the wine is well made. The tipycity of its vineyards resorts with its balsamic note, it will take few years to reach its top. It could easly be drunk now with a succulent meat dish like a wild game and porcini mushrooms. I enjoyed this wine with a wild boar and a polenta: fantastic!! Its structure and complexity matched very well the wild side of the plate.

My score: 16/20

Foto | eirikso