Castello di Neive Santo Stefano Barbaresco 2018

Cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant before serving.

Castello di Neive is a magnificent 18th century Italian castle which stands proud over the charming medieval village of Neive. The estate has been in the hands of the Stupino family since 1964, and today the family has 26 hectares of vines as well as 20 hectares of hazelnuts. All of their wines are made from estate-grown grapes using traditional artisanal methods wherever possible.

Of all their vineyards the most famous is Santo Stefano which was already mentioned in 1742 on maps of the castle grounds. For many years it was an overgrown hill that was mostly used for hunting until Giacomo Stupino saw its potential for producing top quality Barbaresco. Now it is considered a prized “monopole” or single vineyard appellation with exceptional soils that are perfectly suited to the Nebbiolo grape.

The vineyards are between 30 to 40 years old and are planted on poor calcareous soils which forces the roots to dig deep for moisture and nutrients. The result is an elegant and multi-faceted wine that opens with nuances of violet, spice, and bright berry notes. On the palate there is a medium body, firm tannins, and intense core of fruit flavours that linger long on the tongue. This is a wine which is ideal to be cellared further, although it can also be enjoyed now with tomato-based or red meat dishes.