Castello di Neive, Barbaresco, 2023
Castello di Neive, Barbaresco, 2023
- 75cl
- 14.5%
- Red Still
- Nebbiolo
Couldn't load pickup availability
Optimal drinking window: 2029 - 2043
Est. delivery in June, 2026
Castello di Neive brings aristocratic poise to Barbaresco, crafting wines that capture Nebbiolo's ethereal side without losing its backbone. This 2023 shows the classic marriage of perfumed fruit and earthy complexity that makes Barbaresco so beguiling, with rose petals and red cherry lifted by fresh acidity and mineral precision.
Still in its youth, this needs a few years to soften those noble tannins and develop the truffle and leather notes that mark mature Barbaresco.
The vineyards sit on the classic calcareous-clay soils of the Barbaresco zone, with excellent southern exposure on the hillsides around Neive. These soils retain moisture during dry summers while providing excellent drainage, forcing the vines to dig deep and concentrate flavours. The continental climate with its foggy autumns gives Nebbiolo the long growing season it needs to develop complexity while retaining freshness.
Barbaresco is one of Piemonte's twin titans alongside Barolo, but produces more elegant, earlier-drinking wines from pure Nebbiolo. The DOCG rules mandate minimum 26 months ageing including nine in wood, but most producers exceed this. Barbaresco's slightly warmer climate compared to Barolo means the wines often show more immediate charm while still offering serious ageability.
The 2023 growing season in Piemonte delivered exactly the sort of weather that keeps growers awake at night, then rewards them handsomely come harvest. A challenging spring gave way to a summer that alternated between periods of intense heat and timely rainfall, testing vine resilience across the Langhe and Roero. The key moment came in late summer when cooler nights returned just as the grapes approached ripeness, allowing for that crucial slow final phase that separates good vintages from great ones in this corner of Italy.
What emerged from the cellars shows remarkable consistency across varieties, with Nebbiolo displaying the sort of lifted aromatics and structured tannins that suggest serious ageability. The Barberas show more immediate charm than usual whilst retaining their characteristic brightness, and we're particularly impressed by how the Dolcettos have turned out – they've got real depth without losing their gulpable appeal. Most 2023s are drinking beautifully now but the serious Barolos and Barbarescos will reward patience, likely hitting their stride around 2028 and drinking well until 2040 or beyond.
OUR GROWERS
Castello di Neive
-
-
Speak to one of our Wine Gurus
Speak to a Wine GuruWith years of experience, our team can help you with all your wine buying and selling needs