One of the unforgettable highlights of my journey through Piedmont was tasting this Castello di Neive Santa Stefano Riserva Barbaresco DOCG 1999 with winemaker Claudio Roggero. He graciously opened this bottle especially for me - a gesture I sincerely appreciated. 1999 marked his first vintage as winemaker making the experience even more meaningful and humbling.
Graceful elegance at its peak, despite being 26 years young, age has not slowed it down.
Fabulously savoury as you'd expect, it is loaded with mushroom broth, sautéed mushrooms, leather, soft tar, licorice root and leather. The detail continued to unfurl with layers of forest floor, dried cherries, tea leaves, balsamic, black truffle, dried herbs and a shimmer of spice. Superfine tannins reach long building intrigue and a strong case for contemplation - sip slow and embrace.
A wine that shows all the brilliance of aged Barbaresco, this is not fading any time soon. I'm most grateful to Claudio and his team for this incredible opportunity - a memory that is etched in my mind and will be there for some time to come.
Drink to five years+
95/100
Region: Piedmont
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