Production area: Monforte d’Alba.  Mauro’s father-in-law owns this vineyard, which he started managing in 1996.

Area of production: Langhe, A hilly zone in the South of Piedmont, bordered by Liguria.

Vineyard Exposition: South, South-East

Altitude: approx. 300 meters above sea-level

Varietal: Nebbiolo

Surface Area: approx. 1.5 hectares

Vines per Hectare: 5000

Grape Yield per Hectare: 5 tons per hectare 

Bottles Produced: 6.000

Age of the Vines: 2/3 of the vineyard were planted in 1967 and the remaining vineyard was replanted in 1995 due to the flooding in November of 1994.

Vine Trellising System: guyot.

Vinification: Maceration on the skins for approx. 4 days in rotary fermentors with temperature control, the grapes are then pressed off the skins and alcoholic fermentation is completed in steel tanks(approx. 20 days).  After primary fermentation the wine is put in french barriques, 50% new and 50% used, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation at a temperature of approx. 20° C  for about two months.  The wine remains in barrique for a total of 24 months, afterwards it is put in stainless steel tanks for approximately two months to settle and then bottled without fining and filtration.

Color: Intense ruby red

Nose: Fresh to the nose with mature fruits; prunes and blueberries, licorice and notes of aromatic herbs like eucalyptus.  The evident tannin and harmony confirm the grand character that is undeniably the province of Monfortina.  Between the four crus of the cantina, Castelletto definitely has the most muscle and structure even if it is somewhat mitigated by Mauros winemaking style.

Vintages: The 1999, 1997 and 1996 are well-structured and full-bodied.  1998 and 2000 are a little more elegant and particularly harmonious and easy for drinking now.  In 2002 we didn’t produce Castelletto because a hailstorm compromised our standard of quality for this Cru. 

Serving Suggestions: Red meat, medium aged cheeses, and wild game.

Recommended Temperature: 17°-18° C.  It is enjoyable to appreciate the initial freshness and experience the evolution of the wine as it warms up in the glass.

Tasting Notes: When the wine first enters the market it is forceful and more closed than the other 4 crus, but after the first year of release you can already appreciate its muscle and harmony and with time the wine exalts a forceful character while remaining fresh.

Alcohol %: 14.00

Dry Extract g/l: 27.1

Acidity: 5.6